PGIMER Kickstarted Government School Teacher’s Training Cascade on Oral Health
Oral Health Sciences Centre at PGI, Chandigarh under the National Oral Health Programme, Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India, hosted a training program on oral health for teachers from all government schools of Chandigarh on October 19, 2023. This event focussed on promoting oral health by equipping teachers with the knowledge to foster good oral health habits among the students. Interactive lectures on etiology, risk factors, prevention and management of oral diseases like dental caries, gum diseases, malocclusion were carried out along with practical demonstrations on the correct method of maintaining oral hygiene like tooth brushing, flossing and tongue cleaning etc. A special oral health kit was also given to the school teachers to aid them in carrying out oral health promotional activities among the children in their respective schools. Teachers were also sensitized about the harmful effects of tobacco and practical tips for preventing tobacco use in school children. An interesting feature of the programme was the creation of an oral health wall showcasing the preventive aspects of oral health in every government school in a phase-wise manner. The pilot phase for this initiative has already started in the selected schools of Chandigarh. Dr. Ashima Goyal Prof & Head of the Oral Health Sciences Centre, PGIMER expressed her enthusiasm about the program and highlighted importance of instilling good oral health practices in children for a healthier future. This initiative, backed by the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare led by the National Oral Health Programme, is aligned with the vision of making oral health an integral part of overall health and wellbeing in India. The program’s success can be attributed to the dedication and collaborative efforts of the Government school teachers and the unyielding commitment of the staff of the Oral Health Sciences Centre, PGI Chandigarh. 115 master trainers from each government school of Chandigarh U.T. were trained at PGI. These master trainers are expected to provide trainings to all the teachers in their respective schools. The Oral Health Sciences Centre at PGI will provide technical support for these trainings. Also various Chandigarh U.T. level activities like quizzes, debates etc. for school children focussing on oral health promotion will be carried out in the coming year. The intention is to create a school oral health promotion model in Chandigarh that can be replicated to other parts of the country with support from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Govt. of India.
