Media Release
Udupi, Mar 23: On the occasion of World Oral Health Day, IDA Udupi District branch conducted three programmes. Two programmes were based on National School Oral Health programme and one was Swachh Mukh Abhiyaan, a national campaign of IDA. In all the 3 programmes, they were successful in spreading oral hygiene awareness. Importance of oral health was explained to school children and general public respectively.
1.National School Oral Health Programme at Don Bosco School, Trasi, Kundapur, Udupi District.
Healthy Smile Happy Smile programme was carried out at Don Bosco School, Trasi, Udupi on March 19 on the occasion of World Oral Health Day. Dr Manoj Maxim D’Lima, President of IDA Udupi District Branch spoke regarding the importance of healthy teeth. Good teeth in children will improve their self esteem and good communication skills. Poor oral health negatively affects their growth, development and learning. Many a time’s milk teeth of children are neglected. Parents, Teachers and Dentists collaboratively can work together in bringing healthy and happy smile in children he added. In future teacher training programme will be conducted in this school as well as parents will be told about the care required to be taken in Childs oral health condition.
Dr Madhu D’Lima gave oral health awareness talk with power point presentation and explained right brushing technique which was appreciated by all. Dr Rahul Hegde participated in this programme.
2. “Healthy Smile Happy Smile” Programme – National School Oral Health Programme at Budnar Government School, Udupi
About: IDA Udupi District Branch in association with Lions Club-Manipal Valley organized Healthy Smile Happy Smile program at Budnar Government School, Udupi on March 20 on the occasion of World Oral Health Day.
Dr Manoj Maxim D’Lima, President of IDA Udupi District Branch presided over the programme and spoke about National School Oral Health Programme. Importance of milk teeth was explained to students. Total number of teeth we human beings get is told as 32 by all participants in all the programmes done, but the 20 milk teeth are always neglected. So total of 52 teeth is the actual count. It may vary in few people too. Deciduous teeth are the foundation and pathway to permanent teeth. He explained the need for beautiful teeth particularly in children. To improve the self esteem in child, to communicate better, healthy smile and happy smile is very much important.
Dr Beesu Naika, member of IDA Udupi branch spoke about Oral hygiene and its importance. Brushing technique was explained with an action song by Dr Jasmine K James,Rep to CDH. Dr Deepa D’Lima, Rep to Women’s Dental Council, Dr Manjunath Mestha, Rep to CDE were present and carried out oral screening to all students. We appreciated the students with zero cavities in their teeth. A big round of applause was given to few students with really well maintained teeth.
President of Lions Club Manipal Valley told that this programme was indeed successful and they would like to make all necessary treatments to these children free of cost.
3. Swachh Mukh Abhiyaan at Cherkady Colony, Cherkady, Udupi sistrict
About: Swachh Mukh Abhiyaan, a National Campaign event was organized at Cherkady Colony, Cherkady, Udupi District in association with Samridhi Mahila Mandal, Cherkady on March 20 on the occasion of World Oral Health Day.
Dr Manoj Maxim D’Lima, President of IDA Udupi district branch spoke on importance of oral hygiene and good oral health. He explained about proper way of brushing teeth and usage of tooth brush and toothpaste to deprived section of people of Cherkady colony. People of this colony are all daily wage workers and use tobacco every now and then. Dr Manoj explained about oral cancer due to usage of tobacco. As we dentists have seen patients suffering from oral cancer we felt it is the need of the hour to come to general public and explain them. President told that only putting pictures of Oral Cancer on tobacco packets is not sufficient but Dental Surgeons are coming themselves with a service above self motto to educate you people about the deaths caused due to oral cancer.
He added that mouth being gateway to our body, oral hygiene and good oral health is very important to have a good general health. Healthy mouth healthy body concept was explained. Special treatment camp to the people of Cherkady colony is planned.
This programme was coordinated by Dr Deepa D’Lima, Rep to Women’s Dental Council, IDA Udupi Branch, in collaboration with Samridhi Mahila Mandal, Cherkady. Dr Sudhir N Rao, treasurer, Dr Jasmine K James, Rep to CDH, Dr Seema Herle participated actively in this programme.
During the WDC mega event on March 10, a different kind of initiative was taken by the women members of IDA Udupi. 5000 free sanitary napkins distribution all over the district was started.
In this mega programme, they had collaborated with six NGO’s in five different taluks of Udupi district.
Dhanwanthary College of Nursing principal Dr Prathibha Brags comes along with us to give awareness about usage and disposal of sanitary pads as well as other women related diseases. A street play from menarche to menopause was shown to people of Cherkady colony.
Women of colony appreciated us well and showed us gratitude for such a wonderful initiative in educating people who were using unhygienic methods in their colony. Free distribution of sanitary napkins was an event organized by Women’s Dental Council to create awareness in public about the hygienic ways of using sanitary pads during menstruation.
Swachh Mukh Abhiyaan on the occasion of World Oral Health Day (March 20) was indeed successful. Healthy mouth healthy body is what we were able to imbibe on the people of Cherkady Colony.