Islamabad dental camp provides oral-health screening and practical guidance to more than 200 visually impaired students

ISLAMABAD: More than 200 students with visual impairments received dental screening and oral-health education during a one-day outreach camp at Al-Maktoom Visually Handicapped School in Islamabad, where dental professionals used verbal instruction and practical demonstrations to promote preventive care.

The initiative was led by Dr Numrah Rehan, General Dentist and chief organiser, in collaboration with the Community Dentistry and Periodontology departments of the School of Dentistry, Islamabad. Students from Classes 1 to 10 took part in the activity, which aimed to assess their oral-health conditions, improve awareness of dental hygiene and encourage habits that can help prevent oral disease.

The dental team carried out oral-hygiene assessments and intraoral examinations, including DMFT scoring — an index used to record decayed, missing and filled teeth. Students’ sugar-consumption habits were also discussed as part of the assessment and education activities.

According to the organisers, the examinations indicated compromised oral hygiene among the children. Many had not previously received adequate guidance on proper toothbrushing techniques and other essential oral-care practices, highlighting the need for accessible preventive education alongside clinical assessment.

The team provided verbal guidance on correct brushing methods, daily oral-hygiene routines and the importance of preventing dental disease. Interactive activities and hands-on demonstrations were used to help students understand and apply the instructions without relying solely on visual learning.

Organisers said the students were able to understand the verbal guidance provided by the dental professionals. Children identified as needing further dental treatment were referred to a dental facility for follow-up care. However, the organisers did not disclose how many students were referred or provide a breakdown of the dental conditions identified.

Dr Rehan coordinated the camp with Dr Farooq Ahmed, Head of the Department of Community Dentistry, and faculty members Dr Mawra, Dr Mohsin, Dr Nasar and Dr Rida from the Community Dentistry and Periodontology departments.

A team of 27 house officers and students from the School of Dentistry also participated in the screening, education and interactive activities. Those named among the participants included Dr Hiba Riaz, House Officer; Dr Zainab; Dr Umna; Dr Ayesha; Dr Shehzadi; and Dr Palwasha.

For the participating trainees, the camp offered practical experience in community dentistry and engagement with children whose needs require communication and educational approaches adapted to visual impairment.

Dr Hiba Riaz described the experience as enriching and eye-opening, saying that providing tailored care and connecting with the children offered a new perspective. She said the initiative had been an invaluable learning experience and expressed hope of taking part in similar activities in the future.

The outreach also highlighted broader concerns about access to oral healthcare for people with disabilities. The World Health Organization has identified inequalities in oral health among people with disabilities, who can face barriers to dental services and a greater burden of unmet oral-health needs. Its August 2026 policy brief on oral-health equity for persons with disabilities calls for more inclusive policies, programmes and services.

The WHO’s regional oral-health promotion toolkit similarly emphasises that people with disabilities should have access to dental care of the same standard as the wider population, supported by appropriate assistance and preventive services.

For children with visual impairments, oral-health education needs to be communicated in ways they can understand and put into practice. Verbal explanations and hands-on demonstrations can help make instructions on brushing and daily dental care more accessible, while screening and referral provide routes to professional assessment and treatment.

The Islamabad camp brought these elements together through clinical examinations, preventive education and referrals. Organisers said the initiative sought to improve oral-health awareness and make basic dental-care guidance more accessible to students with visual impairments. They added that the school had consented to photographs from the activity being shared on social media.