KARACHI: The Department of Community Dentistry, Dow Dental College, Dow University of Health Sciences (DUHS), organized an oral health outreach program at Government Boys Secondary School, Kotwal Building, Karachi, to promote preventive oral healthcare and raise awareness among schoolchildren.
The initiative also provided valuable field experience to undergraduate dental students, combining oral health education with screening for children aged 6 to 12 years.
43 third-year BDS students join oral health outreach
A total of 43 third-year BDS students participated in the program under the supervision of Dr. Muhammad Taqi, Head of the Department of Community Dentistry, along with faculty members Dr. Adnan Sukkurwala, Dr. Mona Shah, Dr. M. Gohar and Dr. Rida.
The team conducted oral health education and screening activities aimed at encouraging children to develop healthier oral hygiene habits from an early age.
The awareness sessions focused on the importance of oral hygiene and preventive dental care. Children took part in hands-on demonstrations using tooth models, where correct tooth-brushing techniques were explained and practiced.
Screening of 102 children reveals dental health concerns
The oral health screening covered 102 children and provided insights into their oral health status.
While many children demonstrated satisfactory oral hygiene practices, the screening identified a considerable need for dental attention.
Dental caries were detected in 48 children, with restorative treatment recommended where appropriate.
The screening also found that eight children had missing teeth due to extensive decay, highlighting the need for timely preventive and restorative dental care.
Sugary foods and irregular brushing among key risk factors
The outreach team also identified common oral health risk factors among the schoolchildren, including irregular brushing habits and frequent consumption of sugary foods and beverages.
These factors continue to contribute to oral health problems among school-aged children, reinforcing the importance of preventive dental care, regular tooth brushing and routine dental checkups.
The findings from the school-based screening highlighted the value of oral health promotion programs in helping identify dental problems and encouraging healthier habits among children.
Children actively participate in oral health education
One of the encouraging aspects of the outreach was the enthusiasm shown by the participating students.
The children actively took part in discussions, asked questions and demonstrated interest in learning healthier oral hygiene practices.
To further encourage good oral hygiene habits, toothbrush and toothpaste packs were distributed among the participating children.
Community outreach gives dental students field experience
The program also offered third-year BDS students practical exposure to community-based oral healthcare.
By participating in oral health education and screening activities under faculty supervision, the students gained field experience while contributing to preventive dental care for schoolchildren.
The activity was conducted despite challenges including limited screening time and the difficulty of maintaining the attention of younger participants.
The successful completion of the outreach strengthened the connection between the academic institution and the community it serves, while bringing preventive oral health education and screening directly to schoolchildren.
The findings — particularly the identification of 48 children with dental caries and eight with missing teeth due to extensive decay — underscore the importance of early attention to oral health, regular dental checkups and preventive practices during the school years.
Through initiatives such as this, the DUHS Community Dentistry team continues to combine student learning with community oral health promotion, helping encourage healthier smiles and healthier futures for children.
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