UOL Community-based dental education activities promote prevention-first care

LAHORE: The University of Lahore’s community-based dental education activities placed a strong spotlight on preventive oral health, professional development and patient-centered learning. The initiative, organized by the department of community and preventive dentistry at the University College of Medicine and Dentistry, brought together students, faculty, and patients across two venues — the University of Lahore Dental Hospital (ULDH) and the University College of Dentistry (UCD).

At ULDH, a symposium was led by Dr Arooj Ul Hassan, associate professor and HOD, and Dr Khaloud Tariq, assistant professor, community and preventive dentistry. Speaking on “Community-based dental curriculum with emphasis on prevention rather than cure,” the experts highlighted the global shift in dental education towards prevention, outreach and population-focused care.

They underscored Pakistan’s rising oral disease burden and stressed that the future of dentistry requires professionals who understand community needs and prioritize prevention early in their clinical training.

At UCD, a hands-on workshop titled “Talk the talk in order to walk the walk” was conducted by Prof Dr Muhammad Hassan, HOD, department of science of dental materials. The session focused on how communication, professional demeanor and interpersonal skills influence patient trust and academic performance.

Role-playing exercises and real clinical examples helped participants strengthen their communication approach as a core component of their professional identity. Prof Muhammad Ashraf, rector UOL, attended as chief guest and praised the department for its engaging community outreach efforts.

Both ULDH and UCD hosted informative sessions on the latest understanding and management of tooth sensitivity, addressing a highly prevalent patient concern.

Table clinics offered:

• Tooth sensitivity screening
• Bone mineral density (BMD) testing

These activities added value for patients and provided practical exposure for students participating in the event.

Prof Dr Moghees A Baig, dean UCMD and principal UCD, and Dr Muhammad Aslam, medical superintendent of ULDH, expressed appreciation for the initiative and encouraged the continuation of such preventive, community-connected programs.

The community-based probe activities successfully combined academic discourse, clinical demonstration, and patient engagement — reinforcing UOL’s commitment to accessible, prevention-first oral healthcare.