“With awareness, comes responsibility and choice.” Awareness of oral health, disease prevention, and maintaining oral hygiene is essential for maintaining healthy teeth. To promote this message, oral health awareness and treatment camps were organized by the Department of Periodontics in collaboration with the Department of Public Health Dentistry, SDM College of Dental Sciences & Hospital (SDMCDSH), Dharwad.

These camps were conducted through the mobile dental van in the following villages:

• Ranebennur (Taluk)
• Hunshikatti

Treatment Camp at Ranebennur

On 26th July 2024, a treatment camp was set up at Ranebennur in association with the National Oral Health Program (NOHP). A total of 131 patients were screened, and 47 received dental treatment at the mobile dental van. Patients were also provided with oral hygiene instructions through pamphlets and educational videos accessible via QR codes.

The faculty in-charge of this camp were Dr. Preetha Shetty, Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, and Dr. Jyothi Kapse, Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics.

• Team of faculty, students, and helper staff.
• Postgraduates provided dental treatment to the patients.
• Patients were educated on scanning the QR code for videos on daily oral care.

Treatment Camp at Hunshikatti

Another treatment camp was held at Hunshikatti on 2nd August 2024, where patients were screened and treated at the mobile dental van. Patients were educated on the importance of oral care and cessation of adverse habits.

The faculty in charge for this camp were Dr. Preetha Shetty, Professor, Department of Public Health Dentistry, and Dr. Akanksha Kidiyur Sathish, Assistant Professor, Department of Periodontics.

• Patients were educated on the importance of oral care.
• Screening and treatment were provided by the faculty and students.

QR Code Videos on Oral Hygiene

QR codes for videos on daily oral hygiene practices were created in both English and Kannada. These videos, which were displayed at the treatment camps, became a central attraction, offering patients easy access to important oral care information.