GDCH, Mumbai: Healthy Teeth Start at School- Oral Health Awareness and Screening Camp

GDCH, Mumbai: Healthy Teeth Start at School- Oral Health Awareness and Screening Camp

The Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai, successfully organized an Oral Health Awareness and Screening Camp on 12 February 2026 for the students of L. K. Waghji Cambridge School, Matunga.

The program aimed to promote oral health awareness and preventive dental care among school children. This initiative is a key milestone in our World Oral Health Day 2026 campaign: “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life.”

Target Population

School children and young learners of L. K. Waghji Cambridge School.

Number of Beneficiaries

136 students participated in professional dental screenings and interactive health workshops.

Rationale

A "Healthy Future" begins with the habits formed in the classroom. Schools are the ideal setting to normalize dental care and move away from "emergency-only" visits to a mindset of consistent prevention. By reaching 136 students in Matunga, our team aimed to provide more than just a check-up; we provided a foundation of knowledge that protects their smiles during their most critical years of dental development.

Objectives

• Perform a full-scale oral health check-up to identify cavities, gum issues, and orthodontic needs.
• Standardize hygiene techniques, ensuring every student masters the art of effective brushing.
• Educate on the "hidden sugars" in modern diets and how to make tooth-friendly food choices.
• Foster a positive, anxiety-free relationship between students and dental professionals.

Activities Conducted

The camp was designed to be informative, professional, and highly engaging for the students:

1. Interactive Oral Health Education

• The team demonstrated the Modified Bass Technique using oversized models, allowing students to practice the exact angles needed to clear plaque from the gum line.
• An interactive session on how oral health affects overall concentration and school performance, focusing on a balanced, tooth-friendly diet.

2. Comprehensive Clinical Screening

A systematic intra-oral examination was conducted for all 136 students to evaluate:

• Caries Detection: Identifying early decay in both primary and permanent teeth.
• Gingival Health: Assessing for inflammation and the early signs of plaque-related gum disease.
• Orthodontic Assessment: Monitoring tooth alignment and jaw development to provide early guidance for corrective care if needed.

The students were referred to the Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai for required treatment.

The Matunga outreach has successfully empowered a new group of "Smile Ambassadors."

Key Outcomes:

• 136 students now possess the practical skills to maintain a "Happy Mouth" independently.
• Identified several cases of asymptomatic decay, allowing for simple restorative treatments before pain or infection could occur.
• Strengthened the bond between GDCH, Mumbai and the local educational community, paving the way for future annual screenings.

Conclusion

The “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life” initiative at L. K. Waghji Cambridge School has reaffirmed that when Healthy Teeth Start at School, they last a lifetime. The Department of Public Health Dentistry remains committed to nurturing the smiles of Mumbai’s students, one school at a time.