AJ Hospital Holds Interprofessional Programme on Oral Health Promotion for Anganwadi Children
Mangaluru: Department of Public Health Dentistry, A J Institute of Dental Sciences in association with Department of Women and Child Development – DK, Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers Limited and Indian Dental Association – DK Branch formally launched the public health Initiative “An Interprofessional Program for Oral Health Promotion of Anganwadi Children of Mangalore.”
Dentistry has undergone a sweeping change in terms of Clinical Practice. Combined and Co-ordinated efforts from different sectors can improve health outcomes. The change from health professionals working in silos to inter-professional collaboration has led to the formation of a new arena called Interprofessional practice. Hence interprofessional collaboration initiative was developed wherein different stakeholders like Indian Dental Association, Women and Child Development Department, Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers and our institute get involved in varied competency and capacity in order to promote the oral health of Anganwadi children of Mangalore.
The inauguration of this initiative was on 27th September 2019 at A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences at 10:30 am.
Dr Selvamani R; CEO- Dakshina Kannada Zilla Panchayat was the Chief Guest, K Prabhakar Rao; Director – Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers was the Guest of Honour. The programme was presided by Dr A.J. Shetty; President – Laxmi Memorial Education Trust.
The Chief Guest, Dr Selvamani R said that though Health Checkups and Nutrition was an important component of the Anganwadi Centres, Oral Health was not given Priority. He said that this initiative will give importance to Oral Health of children which is essential. He also sought the co-operation of the Anganwadi workers for this initiative.
Dr A.J. Shetty; President –Laxmi Memorial Education Trust and Dr Nillan Shetty – Principal – A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences addressed the gathering.
Dr Vijaya Hegde – Professor and Head – Department of Public Health Dentistry – A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences welcomed the gathering and briefed the audience about the initiative.
Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers will be providing financial support for this initiative as a part of their Corporate Social Responsibilities. A Memorandum of Understanding was signed between A.J. Institute of Dental Sciences and Mangalore Chemicals and Fertilizers on this Occasion.
Posters on ‘Importance of Primary Dentition’ were handed over to the Anganwadi workers.
Prashanth Shetty – Vice President – Laxmi Memorial Education Trust, Sundar Poojary, Deputy Director – Department of Women and Child Development were also present.