GDCH, Mumbai: Oral Health Pledge Movement – Empowering Every Voice for a Healthier Tomorrow

Oral health promotion requires not only awareness but also sustained behavioural commitment. Recognizing the importance of collective responsibility, the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College & Hospital, Mumbai, is conducting an Oral Health Pledge Campaign as part of World Oral Health Month 2026, aligned with  the theme “A Happy Mouth is a Happy Life”. This campaign is designed as a participatory and inclusive initiative, encouraging individuals across all segments of society to actively commit to maintaining and promoting oral health.

The Oral Health Pledge Campaign is being implemented as a month-long engagement activity, integrating oral health messages into community, institutional, and healthcare settings.

Target Population

The campaign is inclusively engaging:

• Children and school students 
• Individual patients and community groups 
• Healthcare professionals 
• ASHA workers and Anganwadi workers 
• Teachers and school authorities 
• Community leaders and local influencers 
• Nursing staff and allied health personnel 

This multi-tier approach ensures widespread outreach and long-term impact.

1. ##Dental Professional Pledge Ceremony – GDCH, Mumbai##

the Department of Public Health Dentistry, GDCH Mumbai, conducted 3 professional pledge ceremonies, engaging a total of 264 participants, including dental students, interns, faculty members, and oral health professionals. 

Held at GDCH Mumbai, these ceremonies served as a platform to reinforce the ethical, professional, and social responsibilities of oral health practitioners. Participants collectively took a pledge to:

• Deliver ethical, compassionate, and patient-centered care 
• Emphasize prevention, education, and early diagnosis 
• Actively participate in community outreach and public health initiatives 
• Advocate for tobacco-free lifestyles and healthy behaviours 
• Promote the message of holistic health through oral health awareness 

The pledge ceremonies witnessed enthusiastic participation, reflecting a strong sense of professional unity and commitment. Faculty members and senior professionals led by example, inspiring students and young practitioners to adopt a community-oriented approach to dental care.

2. Pledge activities for patients and the public:

the Department of Public Health Dentistry, GDCH Mumbai conducted 36 pledge activities for patients and the public, engaging 2,296 beneficiaries across hospitals, urban slums, schools, Anganwadi centres, and community settings. 

These pledge sessions were strategically organized at Cama & Albless Hospital, St. George Hospital, community centres, and outreach locations in Mankhurd, Dharavi, Govandi, Kurla, and other underserved areas, ensuring wide coverage of diverse population groups including children, caregivers, antenatal mothers, general patients, and high-risk individuals. 

The activity focused on encouraging participants to adopt healthy oral hygiene practices, avoid tobacco use, and take responsibility for their oral health, while also motivating them to spread awareness within their families and communities. Special emphasis was placed on behaviour change communication, early prevention, and community participation.

Overall, the pledge initiative served as a powerful tool to instill commitment, promote accountability, and reinforce positive health behaviours, contributing significantly to the goal of building healthier communities and advancing the vision:
“A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life.”