LAHORE: The Community and Preventive Dentistry Department at University College of Dentistry (UCD), University of Lahore (UOL), conducted a seminar on the awareness of oral health problems in Down syndrome patients.
Dr Arooj ul Hassan, Associate Professor & Head of the Community and Preventive Dentistry Department, UCD, was the speaker. He highlighted the importance of the topic as Down's syndrome is one of the most common genetic abnormalities. As with care, the patients' oral condition suffering from this problem can be prevented, leading to a better quality of life.
The discussion aimed to give the knowledge and confidence to the students and dentists so they can treat oral health problems associated with Down syndrome patients and do special counselling for their parents and guardians.
Dr Arooj ul Hassan highlighted that such patients have more learning skills at growing ages than normal ones. It's necessary to teach them brushing and oral hygiene practices as early habits and arrange their visits to the dental office for the regular fluoride applications to prevent tooth decay (caries).
He also discussed the other treatment methodologies in detail to allow the dentists to be familiar with various treatment techniques and handling of these patients to provide the treatment in the most comfortable ways possible. He also advised the audience to be more enthusiastic, compassionate, kind, gentle and friendly towards such patients and their guardians.
At the end of the seminar, Prof Riaz Ahmed Warraich, Principal, UCD, acknowledged and appreciated Dr Arooj ul Hassan for his enlightening topic. He also lauded his efforts to convince dentists not to stigmatize patients with special needs rather than help them.
