Mission Healthy Smile brings free dental care to 500 patients in Thar desert

MIRPURKHAS: In the remote desert of Thar, where healthcare is a luxury and basic facilities remain scarce, a group of passionate dental students from Pakistan Association of Dental Students – Bhitai Dental & Medical College (PADS_BDMC) embarked on a life-changing initiative titled Mission Healthy Smile: Reaching the Unreached. Their destination was Walhaar, Taulka Kunri, Umerkot, a village hidden in the dunes where roads fade into sand, and healthcare is an aspiration rather than reality.

This mission was not just about dentistry—it was about service, sacrifice, and a promise to deliver smiles where hope rarely reaches.

Students as leaders of change

The camp was organized under the umbrella of PADS and led by Muhammad Hanzla, a 4th-year student of Bhitai Dental & Medical College, who served as the Event Head. Muhammad Hanzla is also the PADS College Coordinator, and Assistant Vice President for External Affairs. His vision and leadership were instrumental in mobilizing the team and overcoming daunting logistical challenges.

Supporting him was a committed group of peers whose names deserve recognition for their selfless contribution:

• Sher Muhammad
• Mehak Maheshwari
• Adnan Ali
• Zeenat Zulfiqar
• Syed Muhammad Noorullah
• Sartaj Ali

Together, these young students transformed an ambitious vision into a remarkable reality.

Overcoming the desert to reach the forgotten

Reaching Walhaar itself was an extraordinary challenge. Vehicles could go only so far, and the team had to abandon their vans midway, trekking across scorching dunes under the blazing desert sun. After hours of determination, they finally arrived at Aware Public School, Walhaar, the site of the camp.

Despite physical exhaustion, the students were unwavering in their mission. Their efforts translated into real impact for the community:

• Free dental check-ups for patients who had never seen a dentist before.
• Oral hygiene awareness sessions to educate children and adults alike.
• Distribution of hygiene kits and product samples to encourage long-term preventive care.

By the end of the day, nearly 500 patients, including schoolchildren and elders, had benefited from the camp—receiving not just treatment, but dignity and compassion.

Powered by generosity and support

Mission Healthy Smile was made possible through partnerships with organizations that extended their support to this noble cause. Protect, Bryon Pharmaceuticals, and Hiranis Pharmaceuticals contributed generously, enabling the team to provide dental supplies, hygiene kits, and logistical assistance.

Their collaboration highlights the importance of industry-academic partnerships in bridging the healthcare gap for marginalized communities.

Lessons beyond dentistry

For many in Walhaar, life is defined by challenges—lack of electricity, sanitation, safe water, and proper housing. Yet, despite these hardships, the villagers welcomed the students with warmth, respect, and gratitude.

For the young dental students, this experience was transformative. Beyond honing clinical skills, it served as a humbling lesson in empathy, resilience, and the true meaning of service. They returned not just with tired feet and sunburnt skin, but with renewed determination to continue working for the underserved.

A spark for the future

Mission Healthy Smile was not an end—it was a beginning. It ignited in these students a deeper commitment to extend oral healthcare to neglected communities across Pakistan. With the spirit of service guiding them, PADS_BDMC’s future dental professionals have set a precedent for student-led initiatives in public health.

The team left Walhaar with unforgettable memories and a stronger sense of purpose—proving that real change begins when young professionals step beyond their comfort zones and carry compassion to the places where it is needed most.