DT News - Pakistan - Raising voices, saving lives: FJDC’s oral cancer awareness drive

Dental Tribune Pakistan

Thu. 12 June 2025

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KARACHI: To strengthen oral cancer awareness in Pakistan, Fatima Jinnah Dental College (FJDC) recently hosted a powerful workshop led by Professor Dr. Navid Rashid Qureshi, Consultant Dental & Maxillofacial Surgeon and Principal of Liaquat College of Medicine and Dentistry. The session aimed to equip dental students in Pakistan with the knowledge, empathy, and leadership required to tackle the country’s growing oral health crisis.

Dr. Navid opened the session by shedding light on the critical link between oral and systemic health, emphasizing that oral hygiene is not a luxury—it is a necessity for overall well-being. He reminded the audience that while the World Health Organization was established in 1948, World Oral Health Day was only officially recognized in 2013, highlighting decades of global neglect toward dental health.

A central focus of the workshop was the alarming increase in mouth cancer cases across South Asia, particularly in Pakistan. Dr. Navid referred to it as a preventable epidemic primarily driven by tobacco use and betel quid consumption, which often begins casually in youth and escalates into life-threatening habits. He painted a stark picture of how late-stage diagnosis drastically reduces survival chances, especially when the disease affects primary earners in low-income families.

“The mouth is the gateway to the body,” he said. “When periodontal disease is left untreated, harmful bacteria can enter the bloodstream, damaging the heart, kidneys, liver, and beyond.”

Dr. Navid urged the students not only to practice clinically but to act as public health advocates and educators in their communities. He explained that the dental profession must move beyond routine treatments to include preventive care, community outreach, and oral cancer screenings.

He recounted a touching real-life example of a child experiencing distress during a dental procedure to emphasize the importance of empathy in dentistry. “Every patient deserves dignity and care,” he said, reminding students that technical skill must be accompanied by compassion.

Encouraging students to remain lifelong learners, Dr. Navid reinforced that the next generation of dental professionals must be empathetic, informed, and community-focused. He concluded the workshop by stating that while sustenance ultimately comes from Allah, individual action, education, and intention are vital to shaping a healthier, cancer-aware society.

The workshop left a lasting impact on FJDC students, who walked away with more than just enhanced clinical insights—they felt a renewed sense of purpose as future leaders in oral health care.