The Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai organized a School Oral Health Screening, Education and Treatment Camp on 05 January 2026 at Gurunanak English High School, Andheri East, Mumbai, as part of the global World Oral Health Day 2026 campaign themed “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life.”
Target Population
School children and school teachers
Number of Beneficiaries
135 students and teachers screened, educated, and provided basic dental treatment where required.
Activities Conducted:
- Interactive Oral Health Education for Students
- Teacher Orientation and Training of Trainers (ToT)
- Oral Health Screening
- Basic Dental Treatment Services
Rationale
Oral diseases such as dental caries and gingival problems are common among school-aged children due to poor oral hygiene practices and unhealthy dietary habits. The initiative aimed to educate school children about preventive oral healthcare while empowering teachers to reinforce healthy oral hygiene practices among students.
Additionally, the camp incorporated basic dental treatment services, ensuring that children identified with dental problems received immediate care or appropriate referral, thereby promoting early intervention and prevention of disease progression.
Objectives
The objectives of the program were to:
- Promote awareness about preventive oral healthcare among school children
- Encourage adoption of correct tooth-brushing techniques and healthy dietary practices
- Identify early signs of oral diseases through oral health screening
- Provide basic dental treatment services
- Train teachers as oral health promoters (Training of Trainers – ToT) to reinforce oral hygiene practices among students
Activities Conducted
The following activities were conducted during the camp:
1. Interactive Oral Health Education for Students
Engaging oral health awareness sessions were conducted using interactive discussions and demonstrations focusing on:
- Importance of oral hygiene and healthy habits
- Correct tooth-brushing techniques
- Harmful effects of frequent consumption of sweets
- Prevention of tooth decay and gum diseases
Students actively participated in the session, making the learning experience both interactive and impactful.
2. Teacher Orientation and Training of Trainers (ToT)
Teachers were oriented on the importance of oral health promotion within the school environment. A 3-hour interactive session focusing on:
- Recognizing common oral health problems among children
- Reinforcing correct brushing practices during school health activities
- Encouraging healthy dietary habits among students
- Promoting routine dental check-ups and early referral when required
This Training of Trainers approach enabled teachers to act as oral health advocates, helping sustain oral hygiene awareness within the school.
3. Oral Health Screening
A comprehensive oral examination of 135 students and teachers was carried out by the dental team to identify:
- Dental caries
- Gingival inflammation
- Malocclusion
- Other oral health concerns
Students and teachers requiring further care were referred to Government Dental College & Hospital for comprehensive treatment and follow-up.
4. Basic Dental Treatment Services
As part of the treatment component of the camp, selected students received basic dental care services such as:
- Oral prophylaxis and scaling
- Application of preventive measures and topical agents
- Chairside counselling regarding oral hygiene practices
- Referral of students requiring advanced treatment to Government Dental College & Hospital
The treatment services ensured that students identified with oral health problems could receive immediate care and timely intervention, reinforcing the preventive and therapeutic objectives of the program.
Impact
The camp effectively combined oral health education, teacher capacity building, screening, and basic treatment services, ensuring that preventive knowledge was reinforced both at school and at home.
Key outcomes included:
- Improved awareness among students regarding proper brushing techniques and healthy dietary habits
- Empowerment of teachers as oral health promoters through Training of Trainers (ToT)
- Early identification and management of dental problems requiring treatment
- Increased motivation among children to adopt positive oral hygiene practices
By integrating student education, teacher training, screening, and treatment services, the initiative strengthened the sustainability of oral health promotion within the school environment.
Conclusion
The “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life” initiative successfully integrated oral health education, teacher training, dental screening, and basic treatment services, benefiting both students and educators while promoting preventive oral healthcare practices.
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