GDCH, Mumbai: Integrating Oral Health into Comprehensive Healthcare—For Every Patient, Every Provider, Every Smile

GDCH, MUMBAI: INTEGRATING ORAL HEALTH INTO COMPREHENSIVE HEALTHCARE—FOR EVERY PATIENT, EVERY PROVIDER, EVERY SMILE

Duration: 20 March 2026 – 20 April 2026
Venue: St. George Hospital, Mumbai
 

Rationale:

In alignment with the global theme “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life”, the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai, conducted a month-long Oral Health Promotion Campaign at St. George Hospital, Mumbai. This initiative aimed to integrate oral health into comprehensive healthcare delivery, extending across multiple hospital departments. The campaign focused on general patients, caregivers, and healthcare providers, emphasizing prevention, early diagnosis, and capacity building within the hospital system.

Objectives

• To promote oral health awareness among patients attending various hospital departments 
• To integrate oral health into routine hospital care practices 
• To encourage preventive oral hygiene behaviors 
• To facilitate early detection of oral diseases 
• To build capacity among healthcare providers, including nursing staff 

Target Population

The campaign catered to a broad and diverse hospital-based population, including:

• General patients visiting different hospital departments 
• Caregivers and attendants 
• Nursing staff and healthcare providers 

The initiative ensured that oral health education was delivered across multiple points of patient care within the hospital system.

Activities Conducted

1. General Patient Awareness and Oral Health Education

Oral health education sessions were conducted across various hospital departments for patients and attendants.

Key Areas Covered:

• Importance of maintaining oral hygiene 
• Awareness of common oral diseases and their prevention 
• Role of diet and lifestyle in oral health 
• Importance of regular dental check-ups 
• Harmful effects of tobacco use 

2. Opportunistic Oral Health Screening and Referral

Basic oral examinations were conducted among patients across departments to identify:

• Dental caries and periodontal conditions 
• Oral mucosal lesions 
• Signs requiring further evaluation 

Patients requiring care were provided with referrals to Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai for further management.

3. Training of Nursing Staff (Capacity Building Initiative)

A structured training program was conducted for nursing staff to integrate oral health into routine patient care.

Training Modules Covered:

• Basic oral health assessment 
• Identification of common oral conditions 
• Oral care protocols for hospitalized patients 
• Oral health considerations in systemic diseases 
• Referral pathways for dental care 

4. Chairside Demonstrations and Individual Counselling

• Demonstration of correct tooth brushing techniques 
• Use of visual aids and models 
• Personalized counselling based on individual patient needs 

Conclusion

The Oral Health Promotion Campaign at St. George Hospital represents a robust model of integrated healthcare delivery, combining patient education, preventive care, and professional training. By embedding oral health into routine hospital practices and empowering healthcare providers, the initiative contributed to sustainable improvements in oral health awareness and outcomes. Aligned with the vision of World Oral Health Day 2026, the program reinforces: “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life—For Every Patient, Every Provider, Every Smile.”