Dental outreach programs

Dental outreach programs are conducted by Srinivas Institute of Dental Sciences through the department of Public Health Dentistry. Health outreach programs are important in improving and extending health care facilities by reaching out to populations through activities such as health education, case management, basic health screening, and facilitating access to services. The outreach activities could directly or indirectly play role in enhancing the health outcomes of both individuals as well as communities. Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Varma, Dean of Srinivas Institute of Dental Sciences and Mrs. Florine Clara Fernandes, Principal, Srinivas Institute of Nursing Sciences initiated to conduct an oral health education and screening program for the Nursing students. The program was organised by department of Public Health Dentistry of Srinivas Institute of Dental Sciences, Mukka, at Srinivas Institute of Nursing Sciences, Valachil on the 24th March 2021. The program had two components (i) oral health awareness talk and (ii) oral screening. The health talk followed a short inaugural program. Mrs. Florine Clara Fernandes, Principal of Nursing School introduced and thanked the speakers. Dr. Sreevidya Bhat, Reader at Dept. of Public Health Dentistry, spoke on aspects related to normal oral structures, importance of teeth, common oral diseases, their control, prevention and treatment. Dr. Suhani Shetty, Senior lecturer at Dept. of Orthodontics, created awareness among the nursing students regarding the malocclusion of teeth, the treatment options and prevention. Dr. Kripal Rai, Senior Lecturer, along with other staff members and a team of interns conducted oral screening for Nursing students. Nearly 130 students attended the oral health awareness talk and underwent screening. Those who underwent oral checkup were made aware of their oral health status with further referral for treatment at SIDS.