School Dental Health Program – 2016

The program took place on 27^th of October, 2016 at Lourdes Central School, Bejai after prior permission been taken from the Principal. A one hour session with the children of 3^rd standard began at 10.30 in the morning. We were greeted with a hearty warm welcome by the teachers and the students. In the first part of the program we introduced the children to the importance of maintaining a good oral health and how we can achieve it. After that a video with a song depicting a cartoon, brushing his teeth in the right way was played and also enacted too. We could see how the children enjoyed it as they finally stepped into the stage and danced with the song.

Next, a small skit was enacted by the interns. The skit took a ride back into a renowned fairy tale of Hansel and Gretel which was modified and depicted as how they end up in getting carious lesions and tooth pain and run away to MCODS and get treated by a paediatric dentist. We were overwhelmed seeing the children come up with various questions at the end of the skit. It was a matter of great pleasure for us, catering the answers to their questions.

We then moved on to the final part of the session which was quite an interactive one. A small quiz based on oral health was held for the children with the help of visual aids. Small stickers were gifted to the little ones who came up with the correct answers. Their enthusiasm delighted us. It was very satiating on our part to see most of the children coming up with the correct answers.

As we concluded the program, a ‘take home’ message for the children comprising of few tips on maintenance of good oral health was given. A vote of thanks was given by Dr. Karuna Y.M. addressing the school authorities, Principal and the class teachers who helped us to carry forward this task so smoothly. The teachers thanked us and gifted each one of us with a ‘Thank You’ card as a token of appreciation.

It was truly an amazing experience being amidst the kids, motivating them for maintaining a good oral health. The genuine enthusiasm, eagerness and the love for learning which the children had, upheaved our spirits as paediatric dentists, inculcating in us a sense of immense gratification and shoved us a step closer to our goal.