LAHORE: Building healthy oral hygiene habits during childhood requires more than occasional dental visits. Early awareness, appropriate screening and practical guidance can help children and families recognise potential dental problems and understand the importance of preventive care. For the past decade, the Department of Community & Preventive Dentistry at Fatima Memorial Hospital Medical & Dental College has taken this message into local communities through an annual outreach programme.
The department continued this commitment with an oral health awareness and promotion campaign in Nain Sukh, Lahore, combining preliminary dental screening with practical education for children and families. The initiative brought second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students into the community to promote oral hygiene, identify potential dental concerns and reinforce the importance of early attention to children's oral health.
During the campaign, 250 schoolchildren were screened, with dental caries and fluorosis identified among the key findings. The screening highlighted the need for greater awareness of childhood oral health and the importance of appropriate preventive practices, including effective brushing habits and suitable fluoride exposure.
The campaign was headed by Dr. Zubia Waqar, Associate Professor in the Department of Community & Preventive Dentistry, under the leadership of Professor Dr. Faisal Izhar, Head of the Department. The activities were facilitated by Dr. Mamoona Shahid, Dr. Fatima Saeed, Dr. Fizza Rasool Ghumman, Dr. Sara, Dr. Ainee Fatima and Fatima Khalid.
Rather than limiting the activity to a single school visit, the students reached children and community members at three locations in Nain Sukh: the Primary Healthcare Centre, a vocational training centre and a local school. They conducted oral health education sessions and preliminary screenings, taking preventive dental messages into settings where children and families could engage with them directly.
Practical demonstrations formed an important part of the campaign. Using large dental models, students demonstrated correct brushing techniques, helping children understand how to clean their teeth effectively. Colourful bilingual posters in English and Urdu covered brushing, flossing and healthy dietary choices, making the information accessible to children and parents.
The educational approach was designed to turn general oral health advice into practical habits that could be followed at home. By combining visual demonstrations with screening, the initiative encouraged children to understand not only the importance of oral hygiene but also the everyday practices that support better dental health.
Dental caries and fluorosis were among the principal conditions identified during the screening. Their presence underscored the importance of early assessment and appropriate preventive guidance. The campaign highlighted the role of good brushing practices and suitable fluoride exposure in reducing the risk of dental problems, while recognising that children identified through preliminary screening may require further professional evaluation.
To reinforce the lessons beyond the outreach activity, every child received a free tube of toothpaste along with a souvenir. The distribution complemented the practical demonstrations by providing children with a basic oral-care product to support their hygiene routines at home.
The campaign also served as a practical learning opportunity for the participating second-year BDS students. Through direct engagement with children and families, they applied their academic knowledge in a community setting, gaining exposure to oral health education, preliminary screening and the wider responsibilities of preventive dentistry.
The department has conducted this community outreach activity annually for the past 10 years and maintains continuous follow-up with the communities it serves. This sustained engagement distinguishes the programme from a one-off awareness campaign, reflecting an ongoing institutional commitment to community service, preventive healthcare and the practical education of future dental professionals.
By bringing oral health screening and education into community settings, Fatima Memorial Hospital Medical & Dental College continues to highlight the value of prevention and early awareness in improving children's oral health. Its decade-long initiative also demonstrates how undergraduate dental education can connect clinical knowledge with the everyday healthcare needs of the communities future dentists will serve.
Stay connected with Dental News Pakistan
CLICK HERE TO FOLLOW Dental News Pakistan on WhatsApp for the latest updates on dental education, postgraduate training, professional developments, research and opportunities shaping dentistry in Pakistan and around the world.