REPORT ON NATIONAL PUBLIC HEALTH DENTISTRY DAY
As a part of the National Public Health Dentistry Day (June 19), Department Of Public Health Dentistry, Azeezia College of Dental Sciences and Research conducted various activities such as – Inauguration of health education aid in the dental museum, Talk for health- Health talk competition for interns and talk on Scope of Public health dentistry for Final year BDS students. The theme for National Public health dentistry day 2025 was “Strengthening Oral Health through one health principles”.
The health education aid was inaugurated by Dr Rathy R(Principal, Azeezia Dental College) on 19th June. The health education aid (mannequin) focuses on Effects on tobacco on human body. It comprehensively examines the widespread use of tobacco, detailing on a mannequin how various smoked and smokeless forms of tobacco cause diseases in our body and highlighting the dangers of second-hand smoke exposure. These include cardiovascular diseases, respiratory disorders like COPD and lung cancer, reproductive issues, oral health problems, gastrointestinal disturbances, central nervous system damage, accelerated skin aging, vision impairment, compromised bone health, weakened immunity, and increased cancer risk. The health education aid emphasizes the significant health benefits of tobacco cessation, noting that quitting can substantially reduce disease risk and improve overall well-being.
A Health talk competition- Talk for health was conducted for interns. They were asked to record a video related to oral health for maximum 3 minutes. The language can be English or Malayalam. The talk must be in original should be presented without reading from a script with a good background and a proper attire. A total of 4 participants were there and the video was judged by an external faculty Dr Prijitha Alex, Department of Public Health Dentistry. The winner of the competition was Dr Bhadra S S and all the participants were given certificate of participation.
An orientation class on the topic “Scope of Public Health Dentistry” was conducted by Dr. Saira Siraj. E, Reader, for the final year BDS students on 23rd of June, 2025.
The session began by emphasizing the core principles of public health and how they integrate with dental practice. It effectively traced the evolution of public health dentistry and its key objectives. The class was interactive and well structured covering areas such as community based oral health program, epidemiological studies and surveys, oral health policy making, role of public health dentist in national health missions and collaboration with NGO’s, etc. The use of case studies, visuals and statistical data provided us a practical lens to view the subject.
This session help many of us understand that dentistry is not just limited to clinics or hospitals. It highlighted the larger role we can play as dental professionals and career opportunities in government sectors, research, academics and NGO’s.In conclusion, the class on the “Scope of public health dentistry” was both informative and inspiring. It gave us a deep insight into our role in contributing to the nation’s oral health on a community and population level.
