GDCH, MUMBAI: A HAPPY MOUTH IS A HAPPY LIFE—ACHIEVED THROUGH AWARENESS, EARLY DETECTION, AND COMMUNITY ACTION

GDCH, MUMBAI: A HAPPY MOUTH IS A HAPPY LIFE—ACHIEVED THROUGH AWARENESS, EARLY DETECTION, AND COMMUNITY ACTION

Date: 10/04/2026
Venue: Urban Slum Areas, Ghatkopar, Mumbai

Total no of Participants: 

Rationale

Urban slum communities often face significant barriers to accessing oral healthcare, including limited awareness, financial constraints, and lack of preventive services. These challenges contribute to a high burden of untreated dental diseases and delayed diagnosis of oral conditions. In alignment with the global vision and theme “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life”, the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital, Mumbai undertook this outreach initiative in the Urban Slum Areas, Ghatkopar, Mumbai to deliver essential oral healthcare services directly to underserved populations. The program emphasized early detection, preventive education, and community engagement as key strategies for improving oral health outcomes.

Objectives

• To improve access to oral healthcare services among underserved populations 
• To promote awareness regarding oral hygiene and preventive practices 
• To facilitate early detection of dental and oral diseases 
• To provide basic oral health guidance and counselling 
• To encourage timely health-seeking behaviour and regular dental visits 

Target Population

• Residents of urban slum communities 
• Children and adolescents 
• General adult population 
• High-risk individuals, particularly tobacco users 

Activities Conducted

1. Oral Health Education Sessions

• Conducted interactive, community-oriented sessions using simple language and visual aids 
• Topics covered: 
  • Importance of oral hygiene and its link to general health 
  • Causes and prevention of dental caries, periodontal diseases, and oral cancer 
  • Role of diet, sugar consumption, and hygiene practices 
• Use of IEC materials, flip charts, and live discussions to ensure better comprehension 
• Encouraged question–answer interaction to address myths and misconceptions 
• Special emphasis on: 
  • Pediatric oral care 
  • Geriatric oral health challenges 
  • Oral health needs of high-risk individuals 

2. Mass Toothbrushing Demonstration

• Live demonstration of correct brushing technique using tooth models and audiovisual aids 
• Reinforcement of the 2×2 rule (twice daily, 2 minutes) 
• Demonstration of: 
  • Proper brushing strokes (Modified Bass technique simplified for community use) 
  • Correct toothbrush handling and positioning 
  • Use of fluoride toothpaste (pea-sized for children) 
• Participants were encouraged to practice along, ensuring skill acquisition 
• Education on:  
  • Frequency of brushing 
  • Importance of night brushing 
  • Toothbrush replacement every 3 months 

3. Tobacco Cessation Counselling

• Individual and group counselling sessions conducted using behavior change communication strategies 
• Education on:  
  • Harmful effects of smokeless and smoked tobacco 
  • Link between tobacco and oral cancer/precancerous lesions 
• Identification of at-risk individuals and habitual users 
• Motivation through: 
  • Brief intervention techniques (Ask–Advise–Assist model) 
  • Personalized counselling and encouragement 
• Referral guidance provided for individuals requiring de-addiction support services 
• Distribution of awareness messages reinforcing tobacco-free living 

4. Self-Oral Health Care Pledge

• Participants took a structured oral health pledge reinforcing daily healthy habits 
• Key pledge components included: 
  • Brushing twice daily with fluoride toothpaste 
  • Maintaining healthy diet and limiting sugar intake 
  • Avoiding tobacco in all forms 
  • Seeking regular dental check-ups 
• The pledge acted as a behavioural commitment tool, promoting: 
  • Ownership of personal oral health 
  • Community-level dissemination of knowledge 
• Encouraged participants to act as “Oral Health Ambassadors” within their families and neighbourhoods 

Conclusion

The Oral Health Awareness and Screening Camp conducted in Ghatkopar successfully demonstrated the impact of bringing healthcare services closer to the community.

Through a comprehensive approach combining screening, education, and behaviour change, the initiative reinforces the commitment to equitable healthcare