School oral health outreach program flagged off for oral Health Awareness
PRESS RELEASE
School oral health outreach program flagged off for oral Health Awareness, Screening & Free Dental Camp in District Ganderbal on World Health Day
Srinagar, April 7, 2026:
On the occasion of World Health Day, the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College (GDC) Srinagar in collaboration with Directorate of school education Kashmir inaugurated an Oral Health Awareness, Screening, and Free Dental Camp for school students in District Ganderbal under the banner of the School Oral Health Outreach Program. The programme was formally launched on 7th April 2026 to mark World Health Day and to promote the importance of oral health as an integral part of overall well-being.
The inauguration ceremony was graced by Director Education Kashmir, Mr. Naseer Ahmed Wani, and Principal & Dean, GDC Srinagar, Professor Dr. Sandeep Kaur Bali, who jointly cut the ribbon to formally launch the programme. On the occasion, a flag-off ceremony was also conducted, with both dignitaries flagging off the dental team to various schools across the district.
Speaking on the occasion, the dignitaries emphasized the importance of early oral health education and preventive dental care among school-going children, highlighting the relevance of such initiatives on World Health Day.
Dr. Aasim Farooq Shah, Head of the Department of Public Health Dentistry, GDC Srinagar, was present on the occasion and led the organization of the programme along with his department. He informed that the outreach initiative has been systematically planned and that all camps scheduled throughout the year will be conducted by special teams equipped with mobile dental units.
He further stated that comprehensive screening, awareness, and school dental camps will be conducted throughout the year, with a total of 88 camps planned across schools in District Ganderbal, ensuring sustained oral health promotion and early intervention among students.
He also highlighted that the programme is being conducted as part of month-long activities to celebrate World Oral Health Day (20th March), under which various awareness and screening camps are being organized to further strengthen community outreach and promote oral hygiene practices among the public.
This initiative reflects the continued commitment of Government Dental College Srinagar to community outreach and preventive healthcare, aligning with the global message of World Health Day.
The camp will continue in multiple schools across District Ganderbal over the coming months, benefiting a large number of students. First dental aware ness camp will be held at Nots high School Cherwan, Hari Ganiwan, Ganderbal. The camp was inaugurated by CEO Ganderbal Oneel Kumar Bhat at the said school. A total of 180 school students were present at the school who will get benefitted from the program. Apart from getting free dental screening and preventive treatment all the school children were given free toothpaste and toothbrush during the program. The program was closed with plantation drive at the school premises.
