LCMD conducts oral health camp for 280 children with special needs in Karachi

KARACHI: The Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry at Liaquat College of Medicine & Dentistry (LCMD) conducted an Oral Health Awareness and Assessment Camp for children with special needs at the Government Special Education & Rehabilitation Complex in Gulistan-e-Johar, Karachi.

The outreach programme brought supervised dental assessments and preventive oral-health education to approximately 280 students from different classes, including children with intellectual disabilities, physical challenges, visual impairments and hearing impairments.

The camp was designed to combine clinical assessment with oral-health education, allowing the dental team to identify common oral-health concerns while promoting preventive practices among children and the adults responsible for their daily care.

During the assessments, the dental team evaluated students for dental caries, OHI-S scores, gingival bleeding and oral hygiene practices. The supervised screenings provided an opportunity to assess students’ existing oral-health status as well as the hygiene practices that can influence their long-term dental health.

Alongside the clinical assessments, the LCMD team conducted interactive and age-appropriate oral-health education sessions for students, teachers and parents.

The sessions focused on effective oral-hygiene practices, preventive dental care, regular dental visits and the importance of early intervention. The programme also highlighted the role of parents and teachers in helping children establish and maintain appropriate oral-hygiene routines.

For children with intellectual, physical or sensory challenges, oral-health care may require communication and support tailored to individual circumstances. The outreach programme therefore brought dental professionals and students into a special-education environment to provide assessment and education in a setting familiar to the children.

The initiative was led by Dr. Anjum Fahad, Head of the Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry, and coordinated by Dr. Hassaan Sadiq, Coordinator Outreach Program.

The faculty team included Dr. Seema Imtiaz, Dr. Mahnoor Abid, Dr. Aisha Faisal, Dr. Shafaq Sohail, Dr. Daniyal Najeeb, Dr. Nida, Dr. Amna Tabassum Kiyani, Dr. Tooba Hameed and Dr. Ali.

House Officers and second-year BDS students also supported the programme under faculty supervision, giving dental students practical exposure to community-based oral healthcare and interaction with children with diverse needs.

The participation of BDS students also connected the outreach activity with professional dental education, exposing future dentists to the importance of communication, adaptability and preventive care when working with patients who may require additional support.

The programme extended beyond screening by involving teachers and parents in oral-health education. Their participation was intended to strengthen awareness of daily oral-hygiene practices and the importance of seeking dental care and intervention at an early stage.

By combining supervised assessment, preventive education and student participation, the LCMD Department of Community and Preventive Dentistry brought oral healthcare directly into a special-education setting.

The initiative reflects the role of community dentistry in extending preventive oral healthcare beyond conventional clinical settings and increasing awareness among children, families, educators and caregivers.

Through the camp, approximately 280 children received supervised oral-health assessments, while the wider school community was engaged in education focused on maintaining oral health and addressing problems before they require more extensive treatment.