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 21 January 2026 for the students of Maharashtra Nagar, Mankhurd. The program aimed to promote oral health awareness and preventive dental care among school students. This large-scale initiative is a cornerstone of our World Oral Health Day 2026 campaign, championing the theme: “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life.”

Target Population

School students residing in the Maharashtra Nagar urban cluster.

Number of Beneficiaries

154 students successfully completed clinical screenings and interactive oral health training.

Rationale

Schools are the perfect environment to plant the seeds of lifelong wellness. In areas like Mankhurd, where access to private dental care may be limited, the school serves as a vital hub for public health intervention. By reaching 154 students in their own learning environment, we are not just treating teeth; we are integrating dental hygiene into their daily education. 

Objectives

• Establish a comprehensive baseline of oral health for the student population in Maharashtra Nagar 
• Standardize hygiene practices by teaching the "Two-Minute, Twice-a-Day" brushing rule.
• Turning a clinical examination into a positive, educational experience.
• Identify and refer students with advanced dental needs

Activities Conducted

The camp was structured to handle a high volume of students while maintaining a personalized, high-quality educational experience:

1. Interactive Oral Health Education

• The team used oversized models to demonstrate the proper circular brushing technique, ensuring students understood how to reach every tooth surface.
• A discussion on "decay-causing” vs. "tooth-protecting” foods, focusing on locally available healthy alternatives to sugary snacks.

2. Clinical Oral Health Screening

A systematic intra-oral examination was conducted for all 154 students to evaluate:

• Caries Prevalence: Recording indices to determine the community’s need for restorative care.
• Gingival Status: Checking for early signs of gum inflammation and plaque buildup.
• Eruption Monitoring: Ensuring that the transition from primary to permanent teeth is progressing correctly.

3. Personalized Counselling

Each student received a brief one-on-one session to discuss their specific screening results and the importance of visiting a dentist every six months, even if they aren't in pain.

Impact

This outreach has significantly moved the needle for student health in Mankhurd.

Key Outcomes:

• By reaching 154 students, the camp has created a "peer-effect" where healthy habits are now a shared topic among classmates.
• Several cases of early decay were identified, allowing for simple preventive treatments that save the natural tooth.
• Provided a high-standard professional dental check-up to a population that often lacks consistent healthcare access.

Conclusion

The “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life” initiative in Maharashtra Nagar underscores our belief that schools are the front lines of public health. Through the "Healthy Teeth Start at School" program, the Department of Public Health Dentistry is helping to ensure that the future of Mankhurd is filled with healthy, confident smiles.