KARACHI: Dental caries, gingival diseases and poor oral hygiene were the focus of a multidisciplinary community outreach programme organised by Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry (LCMD) at Blossoms International School in North Nazimabad, Karachi, bringing together faculty members from four dental disciplines to promote preventive oral healthcare among schoolchildren.
The initiative was organised by LCMD's Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry and reached approximately 300 pupils, from nursery to matriculation. Alongside oral health screenings, the programme included practical toothbrushing demonstrations, dietary guidance and education on the importance of regular dental visits.
The outreach also involved 72 second-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students and six House Officers, giving undergraduate students an opportunity to engage with children in a community setting while working alongside faculty members from Community Dentistry, Paediatric Dentistry, Oral Surgery and Periodontology.
By combining different areas of dental expertise, the programme brought screening, preventive education and undergraduate experiential learning together in a school environment.
Four dental disciplines address common oral health concerns
The participation of four dental disciplines provided the programme with a multidisciplinary approach to school-based oral healthcare.
The screening activities focused on identifying common concerns, including dental caries, gingival diseases and inadequate oral hygiene. These issues formed the central areas of assessment as the dental team engaged with children across different school grades.
The programme extended beyond screening to explain how everyday habits can influence oral health. Children received practical demonstrations of proper toothbrushing techniques, guidance on dietary choices and information about the importance of regular dental visits.
The educational component was intended to help pupils understand preventive practices and recognise the value of maintaining oral hygiene as part of their daily routines.
72 BDS students take part in community-based learning
The involvement of 72 second-year BDS students was a significant part of the initiative, placing undergraduate dental education within a practical community setting.
Supported by six House Officers and faculty members, the students participated in an outreach programme that required engagement with children across a wide age range. The experience brought them into contact with the communication and educational aspects of dentistry, alongside the screening activities.
Explaining oral health practices to young children requires more than clinical knowledge. It involves communicating in an accessible way, encouraging healthy habits and helping individuals understand how preventive measures can reduce common oral health risks.
Such community-based activities can complement classroom and clinical teaching by exposing students to the wider responsibilities of dental professionals, particularly in health promotion and preventive care.
The multidisciplinary setting also brought students into contact with different areas of dental practice, highlighting the contribution of varied dental disciplines to community oral healthcare.
LCMD faculty supervise multidisciplinary initiative
The programme was conducted under the supervision of Prof. Dr. Navid Rashid Qureshi, Principal, College of Dentistry, and Dr. Anjum Fahad, Head of the Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry. Coordination was led by Dr. Muhammad Hassaan Sadiq, Outreach Programme Coordinator. Faculty members from Community Dentistry, Paediatric Dentistry, Oral Surgery and Periodontology participated in the initiative.
Taking preventive oral healthcare into the school environment
With approximately 300 pupils reached, the initiative reflected LCMD's emphasis on taking oral health education beyond the college environment and engaging communities through preventive care.
Schools provide an opportunity to introduce oral hygiene guidance to children at different stages of development. Demonstrations, dietary advice and encouragement to seek regular dental care can help make preventive oral healthcare more understandable and relevant to their everyday lives.
The programme also demonstrated how dental institutions can combine community engagement with undergraduate learning, allowing students to experience the public-health dimension of their profession while contributing to oral health awareness.
Through the collaboration of four dental disciplines, faculty members, House Officers and undergraduate students, LCMD brought a multidisciplinary approach to addressing common oral health concerns among schoolchildren in Karachi.
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