Establishment of Oral Health Satellite Centre at Govinda Dasa College, Surathkal

Establishment of Oral Health Satellite Centre at Govinda Dasa College, SurathkalOral health is an inseparable and integral part of general health. Our aim as oral health professionals is to prevent oral diseases and promote oral health in addition to providing appropriate treatment for oral health problems. Schools and colleges are important groups, which could be targeted to receive institution-based oral health programs. In this direction, a satellite oral health care centre was established at Govinda Dasa College, Surathkal, under able leadership of Prof. (Dr.) Manoj Varma, Dean, Srinivas Institute of Dental Sciences, Mukka. This was done in association with the NSS Wing, Govinda Dasa College, Surathkal and Department of Public Health Dentistry, Srinivas Institute of Dental Sciences (SIDS) in the year 2018. A MoU was signed and agreed upon that Faculty and Interns of SIDS will provide preventative and curative therapies for oral health problems. Regular oral health education will be provided to improve oral as well as overall health.A program was organised at A.V. Hall, Govinda Dasa College by NSS wing, GDC, on the 13th Feb 2021 to renew the MoU. The program was presided by Dr. Lavanya Varma, Associate Dean, SIDS. The MoUs were exchanged between the two institutions. Dr. Lavanya Varma and Prof. Krishnamoorthy, Principal, Govinda Dasa College addressed the gathering.On this occasion, Dr. Bettina Ashwini, Dept. of Conservative Dentistry and Endodontics, and Dr. Suhani Shetty, Dept. of Orthodontics, from SIDS gave health talk on the importance of and various preventive and curative therapies provided In Conservative dentistry and orthodontics. They were also given general oral health awareness talk. NSS officers - Mrs. Prateeksha and Ms. Poornima Gokhale of GDC along with Faculty at Dept. of Public Health Dentistry of SIDS - Dr. Sreevidya, Dr. Kripal Rai and Dr. Ardra M.P. co-ordinated to organise the program.At this centre, oral health services are provided to general public and GDC students. This centre has been functioning for nearly two years and has catered to several patients seeking oral health services. Regular annual oral health checks and oral health education for the GDC students are also provided