Oral health awareness and treatment camp at child care institutions Parisha and Palash, Harwan collaborative effort of District Legal services authority Srinagar, Department of social welfare, Srinagar and Departments of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College Srinagar.
In a significant step towards improving the oral health and overall well-being of underprivileged children, a comprehensive Oral Health Awareness Camp was organized at child care institutions, Parisha and Palash, at Harwan Srinagar, in collaboration with the District Legal Services Authority (DLSA). The said camp was held under the directions of directions of honorable Mr justice Tashi Rabstan chief justice a high court of j&k and Ladakh, patron in chief and executive chairman j and k legal services authority and under the supervision of Mr Javed Ahmed chairman of district legal services authority principal district and session judge Srinagar. The camp was managed by Dr Aasim Farooq Shah, Head of the department, department of public health dentistry Government Dental college and Hospital Srinagar. The event aimed to educate the children on the importance of oral hygiene and provide them with essential dental care services.
The camp, held on12 August 2024, brought together a team of experienced dental professionals, and legal experts who worked in tandem to ensure the children received the best possible care within their own institute. The initiative was part of a broader effort to promote health and legal awareness among vulnerable sections of society.
The main objective of this said awareness camp was to enhance awareness among the children of both institutions regarding oral health practices and to ensure they receive timely dental care. All the children at the institutions received free dental examinations and a comprehensive dental treatment in form of dental scaling, fillings and fluoride pit and fissure applications. The dentists provided personalized advice on maintaining oral hygiene and preventing common dental issues such as cavities and gum disease.
The initiative will help to foster a culture of health consciousness from a young age, equipping students with the knowledge to maintain their oral health effectively. Each child was given a kit containing a toothbrush, toothpaste, and educated regarding importance of regular brushing and flossing. Doctors from Department of Public Health/Community Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital Srinagar, conducted comprehensive oral health evaluations for the children and provided essential information on maintaining good oral hygiene. Dr. Aasim Farooq Shah, emphasized the importance of oral health, preventive measures and proper dental care and highlighted its importance to overall health and well-being. The camp featured interactive sessions where the children were taught the correct techniques for brushing and the importance of a balanced diet in maintaining oral health. These sessions were designed to be engaging and accessible, ensuring that the children could easily understand and apply the information.
The Oral Health Awareness and Treatment camp was attended by Mr.Jahangir Ahmed Bakshi, Secretary DLSA Srinagar, The DLSA representatives provided insights into the legal rights of children, particularly those related to health and welfare. They also emphasized the importance of legal aid in ensuring access to basic necessities, including healthcare. Mr. Jehangir Ahmed Bakshi highlighted the importance of such initiatives in bridging the gap in healthcare services for underprivileged children. “Ensuring the health and well-being of every child is a shared responsibility. This camp is a step towards fulfilling that responsibility by providing these children with the knowledge and tools they need to maintain good oral health,” they said.
The collaborative effort underscores the importance of a holistic approach to child welfare, combining healthcare and legal support to ensure that the rights and needs of vulnerable children are met.
The Oral Health Awareness and Treatment camp was attended by Mr.Jahangir Ahmed Bakshi, Secretary DLSA Srinagar, Dr Aasim Farooq Shah (HOD),Department of Public Health/Community Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital Srinagar, Mr. Showkat Ahmed Mir, Ms. Nazia Wani and Mr. Sitendra Kaur, Superintendent of Palash & Parisha, Child Care Institutions, Harwan, Srinagar, Dr. Mohammad Haneef, Dr. Sibat Mohd Mujtaba, and other Doctors/faculty/interns from Government Dental College & Hospital Srinagar, Deputy LADC, Officials from DLSA Srinagar, officials from Palash and Parisha child care institutions.
The camp proved to be highly beneficial, with students from both Parisha and Palash institutions gaining valuable insights and receiving essential dental treatments including scaling & filling to ensure students receive the care they need for maintaining optimal Oral Hygiene.
Speaking after the event Dr Aasim Farooq Shah HOD Department of Public health dentistry Government Dental College, emphasized the importance of health education and health promotion for prevention of diseases and decreasing the burden of disease on the country. He further said such programs have been the backbone of dental public health and shall continue to support the population at large in upcomming efforts.
