GDCH, Mumbai: Gentle Care for Growing Smiles- Oral Health Screening and Education Camp

GDCH, Mumbai: Gentle Care for Growing Smiles- Oral Health Screening and Education Camp

The Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai, successfully organized an Oral Health Screening and Education Camp on 20 January 2026 at Anganwadi No. 201, Chembur for young children. The camp aimed to promote early oral health awareness and preventive dental care among Anganwadi children. A total of 128 children were screened for various oral health conditions. As part of the program, tooth-brushing demonstrations were conducted to teach children 

Target Population

Preschool-aged children and their primary caregivers within the Vishnu Nagar community.

Number of Beneficiaries

128 young children received comprehensive dental screenings and preventive education.

Rationale

The "Growing Smiles" of the children require the most "Gentle Care." In the early years, primary teeth are highly susceptible to decay, yet they are vital for proper chewing, clear speech, and the correct alignment of permanent teeth. By focusing on Anganwadi-201, the team addressed a critical need for accessible dental diagnostics in the Chembur area.

Objectives

• Identify early-stage pathologies such as Early Childhood Caries (ECC) before they result in pain or infection.
• Demonstrate proper, age-appropriate oral hygiene techniques to both children (Fones method) and their guardians (Modified bass technique).
• Educate on the relationship between diet and tooth decay, specifically targeting sugary snacking habits.
• Streamline referrals for children requiring specialized care at a tertiary facility.

Activities Conducted

The camp was designed to be interactive, engaging, and highly informative:

1. Pediatric Oral Health Education 

• Using oversized dental models, children were invited to practice the correct circular brushing motion under the guidance of our dental surgeons.
• A visual session showing children how "crunchy" foods like carrots help clean teeth, while "sticky" foods like candies can cause decay.

2. Comprehensive Oral Screening

A systematic intra-oral examination was conducted for all 128 children to assess:

• Caries Detection: Identifying active decay and "white spot" lesions (reversible decay).
• Gingival Status: Checking for inflammation caused by plaque accumulation.
• Developmental Progress: Monitoring the eruption and spacing of the primary dentition.

3. Caregiver Counselling

A brief sessions were held for parents to explain that Milk teeth are not temporary—they are the foundation as well they were explained about proper oral hygiene maintenance methods. Caregivers were taught how to supervise brushing until the child develops the manual dexterity to do it effectively alone.

Impact

This outreach has significantly boosted the dental health safety net in Chembur.

• By screening 128 children in one day, they were sensitized to take good care of their oral health. 
• Increased awareness among parents regarding the necessity of fluoridated toothpaste for toddlers.
• Several children with asymptomatic decay were fast-tracked to the Government Dental College & Hospital for preventive fillings.

Conclusion

The “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life” initiative in Vishnu Nagar successfully proved that with "Gentle Care," we can set children on a path to a lifetime of health. The Department of Public Health Dentistry remains committed to nurturing these "Growing Smiles" through consistent community engagement.