Report on “World Oral Health Day” celebrations at Index Institute of Dental Sciences, A Constituent unit of Malwanchal University, Indore (M.P)

20th March 2023 was observed as ‘World Oral Health Day”. World Oral Health Day was launched on 20th March 2013 by FDI World Dental Federation. The day also marks the yearlong campaign to raise awareness of oral health and prevention of oral diseases. Since 2013 these campaigns have featured specific theme. The theme for years 2021-2023 has been kept as “BE PROUD OF YOUR MOUTH”.

The reason behind choosing 20th March is to spread the awareness amongst older people that they should have at least 20 natural teeth at the end of their lives, the children should have 20 milk teeth and the healthy adults should have a total of 32 and 0 dental cavities. Expressed on a numerical basis, this can be mentioned as 3/20 which represents March 20th.

National Oral Health Programme was initiated by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India, to provide integrated, comprehensive oral health care in the existing healthcare facilities as part of world oral health day.

Keeping the initiatives in mind, Department of Periodontology organized various activities for students and faculties which included; Nukkad Naatak (Street Play), Rangoli Competition, Quiz Competition, Poster Competition and Extempore.

All the students and faculties enthusiastically participated in all these activities and helped uplift the true spirit of this programme.

As part of the World Oral Health Day a Free Dental Health Check-Up camp was organized on 18th March at Khajrana Idgah Maidan, where 200+ patients were screened for sensitivity and gingival recession as per the instructions from Indian Society of Periodontology. It was indeed a proud moment for IIDS to be selected amongst the top 100 dental colleges by ISP to collaborate for its banner and sample distribution drive. Under this drive, two banners, 200 samples of toothpastes and awareness pamphlets were provided by ISP to the selected dental colleges in association with Haleon Healthcare.

A Nukkad Natak (Street Play) was organized as a Public Awareness Programme at the Idgah Maidan, Khajrana, Indore. 2018-19 interns batch planned and performed the Nukkad Natak. The main objective behind the Nukkad Natak was to create awareness about the importance of Oral Hygiene and Oral Health and its relationship to systemic health. Myths and truths about oral hygiene were also reflected in this street play. The Nukkad Naatak received great words of appreciation and praising from the general public.

Quiz competition, Extempore, Poster and Rangoli competitions were organized at college level and these competitions were open to 4th year BDS to Post graduate students.

On 20th March Nukkad Natak was again performed by 2018-19 Interns batch at the premises of Index Institute of Dental Sciences (IIDS). The main aim of presenting the street play was to educate and aware the Class IV personnel (Drivers, Cleaners, sweepers) and Non-teaching Faculties about oral hygiene practices and protocols.

Further in the day a felicitation ceremony was organized at Dr Hemani Sukhija Memorial Hall (LH-1) on the ground floor which was presided over by Dean IIDS, Dr Satish Karandikar and Vice Dean IIDS, Dr Rolly S. Agrawal who were the special invitees for the day.

The Ceremony started with welcoming of the dignitaries by Dr Magesh Kumar S. Professor and Head, Department of Periodontology followed later by lamp lighting at the hands of the invited dignitaries. A melodious Saraswati Vandana was sung by Ms Archana Das, 3rd BDS student which edified everyone’s senses.Dr Abhishek Sinha, Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontology compered the main event with presentation of PowerPoint slides of the participants’ entries.

Dean, IIDS, Dr Satish Karandikar gave away the certificates to all the participants. The ceremony concluded with a powerful vote of thanks delivered by Dr Rinku S. Jaganade, Associate Professor, Department of Periodontology followed by the National Anthem.