KARACHI: In a significant step toward strengthening preventive healthcare awareness in underserved communities, Bahria University Dental College & Hospital, in collaboration with Pakistan Federation of Business & Professional Women, Rotary Club of Karachi Pearl, Bites & Braces Dental and the Oral Health Committee, recently organized a comprehensive Healthy Lifestyle Drive at Dr. Salima R. Ahmed BPW Quality School in Gharo, district Thatta, Sindh.
The initiative brought together more than 200 students and faculty members for a series of awareness sessions focused on oral hygiene, general health, nutrition, mental wellness, women’s health, physical activity and disease prevention.
A major focus of the campaign remained oral healthcare education, reflecting growing concerns among dental health experts over the increasing burden of preventable oral diseases among Pakistani children.
Students participated in interactive oral hygiene sessions where dental professionals demonstrated proper brushing techniques, discussed the impact of sugary diets on teeth, and highlighted the importance of routine oral care in preventing cavities, gum disease and long-term dental complications.
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The organizers emphasized that oral health is closely linked with overall physical well-being, academic performance and confidence among school-age children. Experts involved in the drive noted that preventive dental education at an early age can significantly reduce future healthcare costs and improve long-term community health outcomes.
Another key component of the initiative focused on menstrual hygiene and women’s health education for young girls. Under the leadership of Dr. Maliha Naveed, awareness sessions addressed personal hygiene, health education and the importance of breaking social stigma surrounding menstrual health discussions in schools.
Healthcare professionals involved in the campaign said that empowering young girls with accurate health information is essential for improving confidence, dignity and educational participation in underserved areas.
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The Healthy Lifestyle Drive reflects a broader shift in Pakistan’s dental and healthcare sector toward preventive and community-based healthcare models rather than treatment-focused interventions alone.
According to organizers, the initiative was designed to integrate multiple pillars of wellness including dental health, mental health, women’s wellness, healthy nutrition, physical activity and polio awareness under a unified public health framework.
Prof Dr. Kashif Naqvi, Principal Bahria University Dental College and collaborating healthcare professionals were praised for supporting community-centered healthcare outreach aimed at reducing health disparities in vulnerable populations.
Public health advocates say such collaborations between academic institutions, healthcare professionals and welfare organizations are increasingly becoming essential in addressing Pakistan’s preventive healthcare gaps, particularly among schoolchildren living in rural and semi-urban regions.
Growing importance of preventive dentistry in Pakistan
Dental public health experts continue to stress that awareness campaigns in schools remain one of the most effective strategies for combating rising oral disease rates in Pakistan, where access to routine dental care remains limited for many families.
By combining education, engagement and preventive care messaging, initiatives like the Gharo Healthy Lifestyle Drive are helping create long-term awareness around oral hygiene, nutrition and healthy living habits from an early age.
Organizers stated that the campaign is part of a larger vision aimed at building healthier communities through education, prevention and social empowerment rather than relying solely on clinical treatment after disease develops.
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