Karachi: As a result of areca nut use oral conditions such as dental caries, gingivitis, missing teeth, halitosis, and fluorosis are seen among patients of all ages in the Pakistani society.
The Community and Preventive Dentistry Department, Sindh Institute of Oral Health Sciences-JSMU discussed the aforementioned effects of hazardous oral addictives in their community outreach program from September 21 to October 12, 2022.
The BDS students, in their 2nd year, from the university took the medical, dental and family history as well as performed examination on around 600 students at a public boys school during their visit and free dental check-up session. Principal SIOHS Prof Dr Zubair Abbasi and Head of Department Dr Marium Azfar supervised this particular session.
Prof Amjad Siraj Memon (Vice Chancellor) appreciated the efforts of JSMU and said that the country faces plentiful chaleenges in the dental sector. The dental public health sector is yet to witness major improvements. This can only be possible with the collective efforts of both the society and the dental community.
Principal of the institute, Prof Dr Zubair Abbasi commented on the oral hygiene conditions of the boys at school, pointing out that apart from poor brushing habits, an increased consumption of areca nut was quite alarming.
The students were accompanied by faculty members Dr Hina, Dr Imran, and Dr Daroshum. Oral examinations were carried out on children whilst maintaining cross-infection control as per the Covid guidelines.
Lastly,the students distributed oral hygiene kits, in partnership with Colgate, during their camp, amongst the children in order to encourage oral hygiene maintenance
While expressing satisfaction with the outreach programme, Principal SIOHS Prof Zubair Abbasi thanked Vice Chancellor JSMU Professor Amjad Siraj Memon, Registrar Dr Azam Khan, and Dean Prof Dr Yawar Ali Abidi for their respective supportive roles in student learning programmes.