From Our CorrespondentLUDHIANA, Oct 22 — There is a lack of awareness among school students regarding dental diseases. The students of rural and semi-urban areas are unaware of the techniques of brushing and flossing. Even some school teachers lack knowledge about these diseases.
These are the findings of the Indian Dental Association (IDA) which yesterday concluded the IDA Colgate National Oral Health Care Programme 2000 at BCM Arya Model Senior Secondary School. The 15-member team of the dentists started the programme at Kundan Vidya Mandir on September 5, thereafter covering 119 government, semi-government, recognised and unrecognised schools of the Ludhiana city, as well as Sahnewal, Mullanpur and Jagraon, covering over one lakh students.
During the first phase of the programme, lectures were held and demonstrations were made through charts, slides, models and projectors. In the second phase, teacher training programmes were held and, finally, a dental health week was observed in which essay and painting contests were held. Besides, there was a healthy teeth contest and on the spot dental check up.
On the occasion, Ms Paramjit Kaur, Principal of the school, gave away prizes to the contestants. In essay writing contest, Rahul and Ankita stood first and second, respectively. In healthy teeth contest, Rohit was declared first and Preeti stood second. In painting competition, Ankita and Neha secured first and second positions, respectively. Saniya Sayal was given a special prize.
Speaking on the occasion, Dr Ajay Shahi, President of Ludhiana chapter of the IDA and chief coordinator of the programme, said, “There is a need to organise more such programmes, not only in schools, but also for the general public. The government should play an active role in such programmes by providing infrastructural and financial help.”
Dr Bhagwant Singh, President, Punjab State Indian Dental Association, appreciated the efforts of the doctors who participated in the programme. He thanked the school teachers for their cooperation. Others present on the occasion were Mr V.S. Srivastava, General Manager, Telecom, and Mr Satyanand Munjal, President, Hero Cycles.
