The Government Dental College and hospital celebrated the Oral Hygiene Day here on August 3 this year as a glowing tribute to late President A P J Abdul Kalam.
"Oral hygiene day is ideally celebrated on August 1 to mark the birthday of late Dr G B Shankwalkar the pioneer of periodontology in India, but due to the sad demise of Dr Kalam on July 27, and observance of a 7-day mourning nationwide, this programme was postponed till August 3," hospital's dean Dr Mansing Pawar told reporters here.
He said that this year, the oral hygiene day celebration in government dental college and hospital was a mega event organized as a tribute to Dr Kalam.
"Him being such a huge source of inspiration to the youth particularly it was only fitting that the event began with the installation of his portrait in the student library followed by a grand inauguration hosted by Dr Akshaya Banodkar," Dr Pawar said.
Dr Rajesh Gaikwad, head of the department of Periodontics said four videos of oral hygiene awareness were launched by the dean who mentioned in his address that this oral hygiene awareness should not be restricted to just one day but instead, should be a regular affair in one's day to day practice.
Dr Gaikwad also addressed a gathering and stressed the importance of oral hygiene awareness in the society.
To reach out to people from various strata of society, students and staff members participated in a rally towards CST station which was witnessed by hundreds of onlookers along the way.
"Passionate shots of quit tobacco, smoking kills and healthy mouth, healthy body echoed through the streets," Dr Gaikwad said.
He added that a poster exhibition was organized outside CST station. The posters were prepared by students under the guidance of their teachers and it explained various oral diseases, their prevention and treatment measures to the public.
2000 pamphlets depicting the right way to maintain good oral hygiene were distributed among the people.
The students also prepared a flash mob to grab more eyeballs which also showed people the right brushing technique and use of mouthwash.
"A professionally directed, highly entertaining yet educational street play was presented by our students which stressed the ill effects of the use of tobacco, gutka, cigarette and related products.
