LAHORE: In continuum of its mission to promote oral health to the greatest number of people, the first Oral Health Education Month (OHEM) was successfully organized by Pakistan Dental Community's PDC Foundation. The programme focused on primary oral health and educational initiatives that address solutions to the challenges.
The OHEM was conducted in 11 schools of Lahore, including; Government Junior Muslim Model School, Government Saleem Model High School, Government Central Model School Lower Mall Branch and Rattigon Road branch, Jinnah Officer School, Lahore Reliance School, Crescent model, Government Junior Madrassa-tul-Binat, Beacon House and the City School. Enthusiastic participation was seen from PDC Foundation volunteers, a team of doctors recruited from multiple dental universities of Lahore lead by Dr. Muhammad Haris Iqbal from (de' Montmorency College of Dentistry), Dr. Kiren (Punjab Dental Hospital), Dr. Muhammad Suleman (CMH), Dr. Taimoor (CMH), Dr. Alina (CMH), Dr. Hafiz Muhammad Mobin Riaz (LMDC), Dr. Abdullah Bin Yousaf (LMDC), Dr. Hassan (Sharif Medical and Dental College), Dr. Amna Zahid (SMDC), Dr. Maliha (SMDC), Dr.Amna Riaz (LMDC), Dr. Zahra (LMDC) and Dr. Shazmah (LMDC).
A total of 3,935 children, of ages 4-12 years, benefited from the dental checkup. The checkup was followed by oral health care educational activities to encourage good oral health practices among children, by teaching them proper brushing technique, which was practiced by the kids on models. The program included presentations and videos on dietary habits and oral hygiene maintenance designed for active learning. Brushing charts were distributed along with free tooth paste samples sponsored by the brand; “Protect”, to encourage routine brushing.
President PDC, Dr. Syed Muhammad Faizan highly appreciated the immense efforts of all the volunteers, saying that the passionate pursuit of knowledge and great enthusiasm showed by all age groups during the outreach programs, have further encouraged PDC to continue its efforts to uplift the health of the society and the dental profession in Pakistan.
PDC Foundation, the philanthropic arm of Pak Dental Community (PDC), is the first and only non-profit program in Pakistan exclusively for oral healthcare of economically disadvantaged people. For further information visit their website www.PakistanDentalCommunity.com or Facebook page, www.facebook.com/PakistanDentalCommunity