Hamdard University Dental Hospital conducts school-based oral health screening in Karachi

KARACHI: The Department of Community & Preventive Dentistry at Hamdard University Dental Hospital has conducted a community-based oral health promotion and screening activity at Customs Public School in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Karachi, to help identify schoolchildren who may need further dental evaluation and promote awareness of preventive oral healthcare.

Organised in collaboration with Second Professional BDS students, the activity focused on preliminary oral health screening, education on good oral hygiene practices and the identification of potential dental care needs. It also aimed to encourage early intervention by referring children for further professional assessment wherever required.

Under the supervision of Dr. Syed Muzammil Ali Shah, Dr. Saima Asim, Dr. Shikoh Naz, Dr. Mudassir and Dr. Abdul Rauf, participating students engaged with schoolchildren through oral health education and preliminary screening. The initiative provided an opportunity to take preventive dental care messages beyond the clinical setting and into the children's everyday learning environment.

The screening exercise was guided by four objectives: assessing the oral health of schoolchildren, raising awareness of oral hygiene and preventive care, identifying children who may require additional dental evaluation, and encouraging timely intervention and appropriate referral.

Before the school visit, the Second Professional BDS students received training in oral health education, clinical examination procedures and community outreach. They were also introduced to the WHO Oral Health Assessment Form (2004), which served as the assessment framework for the screening exercise.

The students subsequently applied this preparation during the school activity, conducting preliminary oral assessments and communicating preventive oral health messages. The experience also exposed them to the practical responsibilities of community dentistry, including engaging with children, recognising possible dental concerns and understanding when further professional evaluation may be needed.

The department plans to review the completed assessment forms to determine which children may require additional dental evaluation. Following this review, a formal letter will be submitted to the school principal recommending appropriate preventive measures, further assessment and treatment wherever indicated.

The planned follow-up is intended to help the school identify children who may need dental attention and guide them towards appropriate care. The screening exercise was an initial assessment, with decisions about further evaluation or treatment to be based on the findings recorded during the activity.

The Department of Community & Preventive Dentistry thanked Principal Madeem Farhana Pirzada and the administration of Customs Public School for their cooperation in facilitating the initiative.

It also acknowledged the support of Principal Professor Dr. Imran Hassan of Hamdard University Dental Hospital, along with the participating faculty members and staff.

By combining school-based screening with oral health education and practical training for undergraduate students, the initiative connected dental education with community needs while reinforcing the importance of preventive care and early identification of potential oral health problems among children.