Bibi Aseefa Dental College combines autism research with oral health outreach in Larkana

LARKANA: Bibi Aseefa Dental College (BADC), Larkana, has conducted a community-based oral health initiative at the NDF Rehab Center aimed at improving oral healthcare awareness among children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) while contributing to research on their dental health needs.

The activity was organized by the Department of Community Dentistry under the supervision of Prof. Dr. A. Bari Memon and brought together faculty members and undergraduate dental students for a program that integrated research, preventive care, and community engagement.

As part of the visit, second-year BDS students Sana Altaf, Mansoor Ahmed Bughio, and Mohsin Ali carried out oral health examinations among children attending the rehabilitation center. The assessments were conducted under an academic research project approved by the Institutional Review Board (IRB) of Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University.

The project aims to generate data on the oral health status of children with autism, a group that often faces challenges in accessing routine dental care due to communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and other special healthcare needs.

Alongside the research component, the team conducted oral health education sessions for children and their caregivers. Students demonstrated proper tooth-brushing techniques and shared information on preventive dental care, emphasizing the importance of daily oral hygiene and regular dental checkups.

Parents and caregivers were also counseled on oral health practices and dietary habits that can help reduce the risk of tooth decay and gum disease among children with special needs.

Faculty members noted that outreach programs targeting vulnerable populations can help address gaps in oral healthcare awareness while providing valuable learning opportunities for future dental professionals.

The initiative also exposed students to the principles of special care dentistry, public health research, and community service, allowing them to gain practical experience in working with children who require individualized healthcare approaches.

According to organizers, the program reflects Bibi Aseefa Dental College’s commitment to community-oriented dental education and its efforts to promote inclusive oral healthcare through research-driven outreach activities.

The college said such initiatives can contribute to improving oral health literacy among underserved communities while helping researchers and healthcare providers better understand the unique dental care requirements of children with autism spectrum disorder.