KARACHI: The Pakistan Dental Association (PDA) has taken its campaign against oral cancer beyond clinics and into the community, bringing oral screening, preventive guidance and potentially life-saving awareness to residents of Surjani Town.
The community oral health awareness camp, held on October 4, 2026, at Khadija Kazi Ali Memorial High School, focused on helping people understand how everyday habits can protect—or seriously damage—their oral health.
PDA members conducted the camp with the active participation of volunteers from Fatima Jinnah Dental College, Baqai Dental College, Altamash Institute of Dental Medicine and Ziauddin College of Dentistry.
The outreach initiative combined oral screening with practical education on hygiene, harmful chewing practices and the warning signs of oral cancer that should not be ignored.
Taking preventive care beyond the clinic
Community members received oral screenings and guidance on properly caring for their teeth, gums and other oral tissues.
Participants were educated about regular brushing, maintaining oral cleanliness, undergoing routine dental check-ups and seeking timely professional care when an oral problem develops.
The central message was that people should not wait for severe pain or advanced disease before visiting a dental professional. Preventive care and timely assessment can help identify problems before they become more difficult to manage.
Oral cancer warning signs highlighted
Oral cancer awareness formed a major part of the programme.
Community members were advised to seek professional evaluation for persistent mouth ulcers, unusual growths and unexplained changes in the colour or texture of tissues inside the mouth.
These symptoms do not necessarily mean that a person has cancer. However, an oral change that persists, worsens or cannot be explained should be examined by a qualified dentist or doctor rather than ignored or managed only with home remedies.
The World Health Organization identifies tobacco, alcohol and areca nut use among the leading causes of oral cancer. www.who.int
Gutka, mainpuri and naswar dangers explained
The camp placed special emphasis on the harmful effects of gutka, mainpuri, naswar, tobacco and other smokeless products that are chewed or placed inside the mouth.
Participants were informed that these habits can cause persistent irritation, damage the teeth and gums and produce changes in the oral mucosa. Continued exposure may also contribute to potentially precancerous changes and oral cancer.
The community was encouraged to avoid these products and seek professional support to help discontinue their use.
The warning is especially important in South Asian communities, where smokeless tobacco and areca nut products are widely consumed. Research reported by the International Agency for Research on Cancer estimated that approximately one in three oral cancer cases worldwide in 2022 was attributable to smokeless tobacco or areca nut use. www.iarc.who.int
Dental students support community outreach
The camp also provided dental students and volunteers with an opportunity to serve the community outside a conventional clinical environment.
Volunteers from the four participating dental institutions supported the outreach effort and helped communicate practical oral-health information to community members.
Their involvement highlighted the responsibility of future dental professionals not only to treat disease but also to prevent it through education, early identification and meaningful public engagement.
Community-based initiatives can help bridge the gap between professional dental services and people who may not otherwise receive regular oral-health guidance or screening.
Platinum Pharmaceuticals and Colgate extend support
The initiative received support from Platinum Pharmaceuticals and Colgate.
Platinum Pharmaceuticals provided medicines and toothpaste for distribution among community members, while Colgate distributed goody bags containing oral healthcare products.
The contributions complemented the educational component of the camp by giving participants practical resources to support healthier oral-hygiene routines at home.
Building a better-informed community
The Surjani Town camp created a platform for community education, disease prevention, oral screening and promotion of healthier habits.
It encouraged people to take oral health seriously, recognise suspicious changes early and seek qualified professional care before a problem progresses.
The initiative also reflected a collective commitment to discouraging harmful chewing practices, improving awareness of oral cancer and taking preventive dentistry beyond institutional and clinical settings.
By bringing dental professionals, students, industry supporters and community members together, the PDA outreach programme reinforced a message that extends well beyond a single camp: the fight against oral cancer must begin with awareness, prevention and timely action at the community level.
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