Dentistry meets humanity: How a third-year BDS student brought free dental care to Hyderabad’s children
HYDERABAD: What began as a student’s wish to serve the community turned into a meaningful act of public service when a free dental camp delivered essential oral health care to more than 150 schoolchildren in a low-income area of Hyderabad.
The initiative was led by Syed Kazim Raza Shah, a third-year BDS student at Isra University, who believed that dentistry should extend beyond textbooks and clinics to reach children who have little or no access to dental services. With the professional supervision and financial support of Dr Hajra Anwer, Consultant Dental Surgeon and owner of Anwer Dental Care Clinic, he organized the camp at Government Girls Primary School (GGPS), Peons Colony, Hyderabad.
A student’s vision becomes service
For Shah, the camp was not simply an academic exercise. It was an effort to translate learning into action and compassion into care. His objective was to provide basic dental checkups and introduce children to the importance of preventive oral health at an age when lifelong habits are formed.
More than 150 students up to grade five benefited from the initiative. Many of them had never undergone a dental examination before, highlighting the value of school-based outreach in communities where routine dental care is often overlooked.
Related story: Free dental camp brings oral health care to schoolchildren in Hyderabad
Revealing the hidden burden of oral disease
Screenings uncovered a high prevalence of untreated oral health problems among children. Commonly observed conditions included dental caries, fluorosis, gingivitis, nursing bottle caries, poor oral hygiene, and mixed dentition.
These findings challenged the perception that children in low-income areas experience fewer dental problems. Instead, they reflected the combined effects of limited awareness, inadequate hygiene practices, and delayed access to professional care.
Education as the first line of prevention
Alongside screening, the camp placed strong emphasis on health education. Children received individual guidance on oral hygiene and took part in demonstrations of proper tooth brushing techniques. Simple messages about brushing twice daily, using fluoride toothpaste, and avoiding excessive sugary foods were reinforced throughout the session.
Dental students and house officers assisted with both examinations and education, strengthening service delivery while gaining valuable exposure to community dentistry and preventive care.
Support that amplified impact
The camp was sponsored by Colgate, whose representative delivered an educational talk and distributed toothpaste and toothbrush packs to participating students. Dental students assisting the camp also received goodie bags containing oral care products, reinforcing the message that prevention begins with everyday habits.
Beyond dentistry, a lesson in leadership
The camp ultimately became more than a health activity. It emerged as a lesson in empathy, leadership, and social responsibility, demonstrating how a motivated student, guided by an experienced mentor, can create measurable change in a vulnerable population.
The experience underscored the urgent need for early intervention and sustained oral health education in underserved communities. It also illustrated how young dental professionals can contribute to public health long before completing their formal training.
For the children of Peons Colony, the camp brought care, knowledge, and confidence. For Syed Kazim Raza Shah, it marked an important step toward becoming a dentist guided not only by clinical skill, but by service to humanity.
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