DELHI SMILES-2016 DENTAL HEALTH UTSAV At MAULANA AZAD INSTITUTE OF DENTAL SCIENCES

DELHI SMILES-2016 DENTAL HEALTH UTSAV
At MAULANA AZAD INSTITUTE OF DENTAL SCIENCES
From 14th-17th December 2016

Dental Health Utsav ‘Delhi Smiles – 2016’ was no short of action. Most of the patients availed this opportunity to get detailed and comprehensive check up to understand their dental treatment needs. This year 3997 patients who availed the free dental check up and registered for further treatment in various departments of our Institute. We also saw a huge footfall of around 6500 visitors from different parts of Delhi NCR. Free toothpaste and Toothbrush samples were distributed to all patients who underwent the dental check up to motivate them. The Dental health Utsav was able to achieve its goal by reaching out to various strata of the population, especially the economically weak and uneducated strata all over Delhi NCR.

Dental health was promoted with the help of various exhibits and demonstration models that created a greater awareness among the general public through the “Dental Health Exhibition”. More than 6500 citizens of various socioeconomic strata attended the Dental Exhibition. Among the various displays the Orthodontics and Periodontics Department were the busiest sections. The Orthodontics Department which organized interactive sessions utilizing three dimensional models highlighting the need for dental hygiene during orthodontics care and the impact of irregular teeth on psychological wellbeing of the youth. In Periodontics, patients were keen to understand the role of gum diseases in different medical conditions like heart diseases, diabetes and pregnancy. Another area of maximum attendance was the “Geriatric Dentistry” or “Dental Care for the Elderly”. With the increasing life expectancy and current geriatric population 7.2% in the country, this is a new area of concern in the country. There were made aware of the nutritional deficiencies and loss of teeth and its impact on general health. A total of 352 geriatric patients received compassionate dental care and were guided regarding the various treatment modality that would improve their quality of life and reduce sufferings.

The other highlights were the “Six Mobile Dental Clinics” which were displayed during the Dental Health Utsav. These Mobile Dental Clinics operate and cater to basic dental care needs of people of Delhi, currently in North East, North West and West districts of Delhi in association with the Delhi Government Dispensaries as their catchment areas. They have screened around 92,650 patients in the last two and half years and treated around 47,978 patients. The treatment rendered were dental fillings, cleaning of teeth and removal of teeth along with referral and counseling. They have screened around 12,456 school children in collaboration with School Health Scheme under GNCT of Delhi in the North East and West districts.

The program also trained around 1207 ASHA Health workers in Delhi to promote oral health among special groups like pregnant women and adolescent girls.

The Dental health Utsav came to a close on 17th December 2016. The whole event symbolises the need for integration of “Wholesome Nutrition and Healthy Teeth” and create awareness of this concept among general public. It is a platform that brings together Community awareness through mass education along with comprehensive dental check up and an array of other activities related to dental care.

MAIDS has been declared “Centre of Excellence” in 2006 and First Dental Hospital in India to be accreditated by NABH. All its efforts are to maintain its commitment and dedication to deliver quality dental care, education and research.

The Institute has conducted this event since last 23 years and is considered the “Largest Dental Health Check up and Exhibition in India” catering to nearly 4000 patients from different parts of Delhi.
The Institute will maintain and continue its commitment to its mission, i.e. leadership role in providing accessible, affordable and comprehensive oral health care to all with focus on the underprivileged and needy parts of the society.