GDCH, Mumbai: MOBILE DENTAL EXCELLENCE AT GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA’S “HIND DI CHADAR”: A LARGE-SCALE PUBLIC HEALTH OUTREACH INITIATIVE - Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai

MOBILE DENTAL EXCELLENCE AT GOVERNMENT OF MAHARASHTRA’S “HIND DI CHADAR”: A LARGE-SCALE PUBLIC HEALTH OUTREACH INITIATIVE - Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai

Date: 28 February – 01 March 2026
Venue: Owe Maidan, Kharghar, Mumbai
Organized by: Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai

Beneficiaries and Impact:

• 1368 Individuals Screened 
• 652 Patients Treated 
• 1102 Tobacco Cessation Counselling Sessions Conducted 

Background

The “Hind Di Chadar” – 350th Shaheedi Samagam of Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji was a mega cultural and national congregation held at Owe Maidan, Kharghar. Revered as the “Shield of India,” Guru Tegh Bahadur Ji symbolizes sacrifice for religious freedom, human rights, and unity.  The event witnessed an extraordinary footfall of 15–20 lakh devotees, all across India, along with the presence of Hon’ble Union Home Minister, Maharashtra State Hon’ble Chief Minister, Hon’ble Deputy Chief Minister and many national Hon’ble dignitaries, highlighting its immense national significance.

Amidst this monumental gathering, the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai, under a Government of Maharashtra initiative, executed a high-impact community outreach program through its state-of-the-art Mobile Dental Clinic.

Under the visionary leadership of Dr. Dimple Padawe (Dean) and the expert guidance of Dr. Sandhya Chavan (Head of Department), the initiative successfully brought accessible 

oral healthcare directly to the community. The event brought together a diverse cross-section of society, including Sikh saints, scholars, and devotees, Warkari groups of Maharashtra, Nomadic and traditional communities such as Banjaras, Sindhi and other regional communities, Students and youth groups and general public from rural and urban backgrounds 

This diversity transformed the Samagam into a living embodiment of national integration and cultural harmony.

Rationale

Mass gatherings like the Hind Di Chadar Samagam offer a rare “Golden Opportunity” for large-scale public health interventions.

For thousands of attendees—particularly those from rural, nomadic, and underserved populations—this initiative represented:

• Their first access to professional oral healthcare 
• An opportunity for early detection of oral diseases, including oral cancer 
• Access to preventive education and tobacco cessation support 

Rooted in the spirit of “Seva” (selfless service), the initiative ensured that healthcare reached those who need it the most- at the right place and the right time.

Objectives

• Enhance Accessibility: Deliver point-of-care dental services in a high-density environment 
• Oncological Vigilance: Screen for oral precancerous and cancerous lesions 
• Immediate Care: Provide on-site treatment for pain and urgent dental conditions 
• Health Promotion: Raise awareness about oral hygiene and its link to overall health 
• Behavioral Change: Promote tobacco cessation and healthy lifestyle practices 

Services Delivered: 

1. Comprehensive Oral Health Screening (1368 Individuals Screened) 

• Diagnosis of dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral lesions 
• Focused screening for oral precancerous conditions and oral cancer 

 2. Oral Health Education (1368 Individuals Educated)

• Chairside counselling using visual aids 
• Demonstrations of effective oral hygiene practices 
• Education on diet and oral-systemic health connection 

3. Tobacco Cessation Counselling and Screening for Potentially Malignant Lesions (1102 Tobacco Cessation Counselling Sessions)

• Identification of tobacco users 
• Personalized counselling sessions 
• Structured motivation and quit guidance 

 4. On-site Dental Treatments (652 Patients Treated) 

• Scaling and oral prophylaxis 
• Restorative procedures 
• Emergency and routine extractions 

5. Referral Services

• Patients requiring advanced care were referred to GDCH, Mumbai 

The Oral Health Camp conducted during the “Hind Di Chadar” Samagam stands as a powerful example of how healthcare can be seamlessly integrated into large-scale community gatherings. The Department of Public Health Dentistry, GDCH Mumbai, has demonstrated that mobile dental clinics are not just service providers, but catalysts for change - bridging gaps, promoting equity, and transforming lives.

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