ABBOTTABAD: Early oral health awareness took center stage as the Department of Community & Preventive Dentistry, Women Dental College, Abbottabad, organized a school-based outreach initiative aimed at encouraging children to adopt healthy dental habits from an early age.
The Oral Health Screening and Education Camp was held at Upstream School System, Nawanshehr, Abbottabad, combining oral health screening with practical education on preventive dental care.
The initiative was organized under the leadership of Associate Professor Dr. Qurat-Ul-Ain and involved second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students, faculty members from the Department of Community & Preventive Dentistry and staff members of Women Dental College.
375 schoolchildren receive oral health screening
A total of 375 schoolchildren were screened during the outreach activity, giving the dental team an opportunity to assess their oral health status and promote greater awareness of common oral health concerns.
However, the initiative extended beyond screening. The children received practical guidance on proper tooth-brushing techniques, maintaining good oral hygiene, preventing dental caries and the importance of regular dental check-ups.
The educational sessions were designed to encourage children to develop appropriate oral hygiene practices at an early stage and understand that preventive dental care is an ongoing part of maintaining good health.
Bringing preventive dentistry into the school environment
The school-based format allowed oral health education to reach children in an environment where healthy habits can be introduced and reinforced early.
The outreach activity focused on encouraging children to take an active role in maintaining their oral health through everyday practices, particularly regular and proper tooth brushing and good oral hygiene.
By combining education with screening, the initiative addressed both oral health awareness and early identification of common dental problems, reinforcing the importance of preventive approaches in community dentistry.
BDS students gain community-based dental experience
The initiative also provided second-year BDS students with practical exposure to community-based oral healthcare.
Participating students interacted directly with schoolchildren during the screening and educational activities, gaining experience in oral health promotion, preventive dentistry and community-based screening.
Faculty members from the Department of Community & Preventive Dentistry guided the activity, while staff members of Women Dental College also contributed to its successful implementation.
The interactive nature of the camp gave students an opportunity to apply their developing dental knowledge beyond the conventional clinical setting while communicating preventive oral health messages directly to children.
Building healthier oral hygiene habits early
The outreach initiative highlighted the importance of introducing oral health education during childhood, when daily habits and attitudes toward dental care are being established.
The 375 children who benefited from the camp received both screening and education, with the activity emphasizing practical measures that can support better oral health and reduce the risk of preventable dental problems.
The focus on dental caries prevention, proper brushing, oral hygiene and regular dental visits also reinforced the broader role of preventive care in protecting children's oral health.
Community outreach remains central to preventive care
The activity at Upstream School System reflects the Department of Community & Preventive Dentistry's efforts to extend oral healthcare education and preventive services into the community.
Under the leadership of Associate Professor Dr. Qurat-Ul-Ain, the outreach brought together BDS students, faculty and college staff to engage hundreds of schoolchildren in oral health promotion.
The successful screening and education of 375 schoolchildren demonstrated how school-based outreach can provide a platform for early oral health awareness while giving future dentists practical experience in community-based preventive care.
The Department of Community & Preventive Dentistry, Women Dental College, Abbottabad, successfully concluded the initiative on 1 September 2026, continuing its focus on promoting preventive oral healthcare and encouraging healthier dental practices among school-aged children.
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