Public health dentistry day celebration 2024

The Public Health Dentistry Day celebration at Srinivas Institute of Dental Sciences was marked with informative and impactful programs aimed at raising awareness about public health dentistry and the dangers of tobacco use. The events, held on June 22 and 23, 2024, were well-received by students and the community alike. Day 1: Awareness and Education Programs (June 22, 2024) The first day of the celebration focused on educating first-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) students about Public Health Dentistry (PHD) and the detrimental effects of tobacco use. The session began with an introductory talk by the Head of the Department (HOD), who provided an overview of the department's functions and its role in promoting oral health in the community. Following the HOD's introduction, Dr. Suma, a postgraduate student from the Prosthodontics department, shared her experiences in Public Health Dentistry during her undergraduate studies. Her insights highlighted the practical aspects of PHD and inspired the new students to take an active interest in the field. Interns, final-year, and third-year students also contributed to the session by sharing their experiences. They spoke about their research work, the outreach programs they had conducted, and the publications they had produced through the department. These testimonies provided a comprehensive view of the diverse opportunities and impactful work done in PHD. The highlight of the day was an awareness talk on tobacco consumption by Dr. Sandeep from the Public Health Dentistry department. Dr. Sandeep explained the various factors that lead to the initiation of tobacco use and provided strategies for quitting the habit. His talk was both informative and motivational, emphasizing the health risks associated with tobacco and the importance of cessation. Day 2: Screening and Treatment Camp (June 23, 2024) On Sunday, June 23, 2024, a screening and treatment camp was organized for the public at Government Primary School Padu Belle, in collaboration with Shri Kshethra Gramabhivridhi Yojana. This community outreach program aimed to provide dental care and raise health awareness among the local population. The camp saw participation from doctors in the departments of Public Health Dentistry, Oral Surgery, and Periodontology, along with interns and non-teaching staff. Around 40 patients were screened, and more than 30 patients received treatments such as scaling, filling, and extraction. In addition to the dental services, a street play was performed by members of Shri Kshethra Gramabhivridhi Yojana. The play focused on raising awareness about non-communicable diseases and promoting a healthy lifestyle. The engaging performance helped convey important health messages to the community in an accessible and memorable way. The camp, which started at around 9:00 AM and concluded at 1:30 PM, was a significant success. It not only provided much-needed dental care to the community but also fostered a sense of social responsibility among the students and staff involved.