School teachers as communicator for oral health promotion among school children in Malappuram municipality in Kerala.

Abstract

Dear Editor, This letter addresses the role of school teachers as communicator for oral health promotion among school children in Malappuram muncipality in Kerala. Future perspectives of school dental health program in India were ascertained more recently.[1] To accomplish the above goals on oral health education in Malappuram muncipality, a monitoring committee was constituted in our institution under the Superintendent, Senior Assistant Dental Surgeon, Junior Health Inspector, and School Public Health Nurse. Effective communication regarding oral health motivational lectures, dental school camps, and dental treatment of school children was added to the already existing WhatsApp group under the domain arogya jagratha (vigilance about health) for immunization program by the monitoring committee of our institution with inclusion of head masters of schools in Malappuram muncipality. Motivational lectures regarding oral health, tooth brushing, identifying dental caries, management of traumatic injuries, and identification of lesions associated with smokeless tobacco were given to 25 school teachers working under government and private sectors. Oral health screening camp was carried out in individual schools by dental surgeons; parents of school children with disabilities, neglected oral hygiene, and smokeless tobacco habits were given effective counseling by the dental professionals, and marked improvement was seen after oral screening and counseling. In future, the above model may be implemented throughout the state of Kerala to achieve zero dental caries or dental caries-less or -free future adolescent community. Financial support and sponsorship Nil. Conflicts of interest There are no conflicts of interest.