Reaching the unreached-a rural community dental visit

As part of the World Oral Health Day campaign, students from the Department of Public Health Dentistry at Chettinad Dental College and Research Institute, Kelambakkam, Chennai, organized an outreach program at the peripheral center in Manamai. The program focused on promoting oral health awareness through interactive and educational activities.

A child-friendly session titled “Brushing correctly for a bright smile” was conducted to teach proper brushing techniques and emphasize the importance of maintaining oral hygiene. Another engaging activity demonstrated enamel demineralization, where a simple experiment using coke and chalk (as a calcium analogue) helped illustrate the harmful effects of acidic beverages on teeth. Additionally, the team educated the community about healthy and unhealthy oral habits, guiding them toward better lifestyle choices for improved oral health.

Overall, the program effectively combined education and practical demonstrations to enhance awareness and encourage positive oral health practices among children and the general population.