Ministry of Health and Family Welfare to Promote Oral Health through Schools in India under the Leadership of PGIMER

Chandigarh: August 23rd, 2023: (Kartika Singh/Arth Parkash):: The second national level 2-day Workshop of the National Steering Group for Oral Health on ‘Framework for Promoting Oral Health through Schools in India’ under the aegis of National Oral Health Programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare was held at the Board Room, Director Office, Kairon Block, PGIMER, Chandigarh on August 21-22, 2023. The Oral Health Sciences Centre which has been designated as the National Resource Centre for oral healthcare of children & elderly (NRC-FORCE), has been carrying out school oral health promotion activities in more than 150 government schools of Raipur Rani, Haryana and all the government schools of Chandigarh for the last 35 years. Additionally free oral health services including denture delivering to the residents of all the old age homes of Chandigarh has been carried out. In this workshop, priority areas for promoting oral health through schools in India were identified and scope for National/ Regional collaborative work under the National Oral Health Programme was explored. The occasion also marked the launch of short videos showcasing glimpse of outreach community efforts for school children & elderly by Oral Health Sciences Centre (OHSC). Prof. Vivek Lal, Director, PGIMER, the Chief Guest of the function, highlighted the importance of optimum oral health being the key for maintaining general systemic health and a good quality of life. Prof.  & Head, Dept. of Community Medicine-School of Public Health, PGIMER, Guest of honor, Dr Arun K Aggarwal stressed upon the importance of oral hygiene in school children of rural areas. On the occasion a framework for the nationwide implementation of school oral health program was presented for the first time. The framework consisted of important oral health pertinent activities at school level like a dedicated oral health wall, supervised tooth brushing and fortnightly fluoride mouth rinsing programme for prevention of dental caries.  Focus was also given to healthy canteen policy at schools and a safe school policy to prevent traumatic dental injuries. It was also decided to pilot test this framework soon in Chandigarh. Prof. & Head- OHSC, PGIMER, Dr. Ashima Goyal stressed upon the completing the school oral health programme framework by March 2024. Participants from MoHFW, AIIMS New Delhi, WHO-India, MAIDS, IDA and other prestigious institutes participated in fruitful scientific deliberations with enthusiasm and unified zeal in identification of the key oral health issues.