Dental Students' Society, Nepal Organized "Walk The Talk- Oral Health Meet with the Leaders"

INTRODUCTION

Every year, World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is celebrated on March 20, signifying the importance of oral health and making a global call for all health professionals and non-medical professionals to act on oral health.

This year, World Oral Health Day 2025 is being celebrated with the theme “A Happy Mouth is A Happy Mind,” emphasizing the connection between oral health and mental well-being.

Established in 2023, the Dental Students' Society of Nepal (DSSN) is a youth-led, non-profit organization representing the interests and aspirations of dental students and young professionals across Nepal. As the recognized national member of the International Association of Dental Students and the World Dental Federation (FDI), DSSN is positioned at the forefront of global dental advocacy and innovation.

“Walk the Talk” is a global initiative by the World Health Organization that campaigns worldwide with the theme “Health for All” to promote healthy lifestyles and advocate for universal access to health.

Every year, World Oral Health Day (WOHD) is celebrated on March 20, signifying the importance of oral health and making a global call for all health professionals and non-medical professionals to act on oral health.

EVENT OVERVIEW

“Walk The Talk- Oral Health Meet with the Leaders” was organized by the Dental Students’
Society of Nepal, in collaboration with the World Health Organization- Nepal. The event was conducted in one of the World Heritage Site at Boudhanath Stupa on April 12, 2025. The event was an oral health talk and meeting session with the leaders and representatives of various medical students and youth organizations.

DELEGATES

A total of 6 delegates from the following organizations were present at the event.

1. Dr. Arun Lamsal
   Nepal Medical Student’s Society
2. Nehal Sharma
   Nepal Public Health Student’s Society
3. Khusbu Rai
   Nepal Public Health Student’s Welfare Society
4. Amit Chaudhary
   Nepal Pharmacy Student’ Society
5. Ayush Koirala
   Youth Dentistry Nepal
6. Pukar Shrestha
   Rotaract Club of People’s Dental College

EVENT DETAILS

At 7:30 am, delegates gathered at one of the world heritage sites of Nepal, Boudhanath. Then the official session was started and concluded in various sessions as follows:

• Introduction session and walk tour of the Boudhanath stupa.
• Discussion on Global and National Oral Health Status
• Discussion on the Global and National Strategy for tackling the oral health challenge.
• Breakfast session.
• Discussion on the Role of Students and Youth Organizations for Oral Health Promotion and Advocacy.

1. INTRODUCTION  SESSION AND WALK TOUR OF BOUDHANATH STUPA
   The program officially started with the introductory session at 7:30 am, where each participant gave an overview of their background and their affiliated organization. Following the introductory session, delegates proceeded on a walk around the Boudhanath Stupa, immersing themselves in its early morning serene and spiritual atmosphere.
2. DISCUSSION ON GLOBAL AND NATIONAL ROTAL HEALTH STATUS
   Sanskriti Shrestha, one of our executive members from DSSN, highlighted the status of oral health in the national and global context. WHO Global Oral Health Status Report and Oral Health Nepal 2022 country profile were taken as references to present the statistics. The session was followed by a discussion among the delegates, during which they shared their perspectives and personal experiences regarding oral health status.
3. DISCUSSION ON GLOBAL AND NATIONAL STRATEGY FOR TACKLING ORAL HEALTH CHALLENGE
   Nirajan Khadayat gave a brief oral discourse about the policies, strategies, and action plan made at the international and national levels to tackle the oral health challenges. Khadayat mostly focused on the Global Strategy and Action Plan on oral health and our national-level oral health policy. He gave an overview of the targets and universal health coverage in the aspect of oral health. After the presentation, the delegates initiated a thoughtful discussion on the presented findings and the proposed sectional plan.
4. BREAKFAST SESSION
   After concluding the walk and a series of brief discussions, our organizing members and delegates were escorted to a breakfast session in Gotama Cafe, where they enjoyed a welcoming atmosphere and light refreshments.
5. DISCUSSION ON THE ROLE OF STUDENTS AND YOUTH ORGANIZATIONS FOR ORAL HEALTH PROMOTION AND ADVOCACY
   Following the breakfast session, a discussion on the role of students and youth organizations in oral health promotion and advocacy, our public health officer, Pukar Shrestha, started presenting our organization's previous achievements and activities for oral health promotion. After the presentation, all the delegates, what their organization has done for oral health from their organization and what they can do in the coming days. With this session, they also committed to adding oral health programs to their future health-related campaigns.