Major community dental drive screens nearly 700 for oral disease and cancer

Nearly 700 people received free dental and oral cancer screening as a major community-based oral health initiative brought specialist dental expertise, preventive counselling and oral cancer awareness directly to schoolchildren and members of the public. The DentEd Collective organised the comprehensive dental and oral cancer screening camp at Government Main Boys Elementary School, Digri, combining clinical examinations with education on oral hygiene, oral cancer warning signs, harmful habits and the importance of timely professional care. Approximately 690 individuals underwent oral and dental examinations during the initiative, which also focused on identifying common dental conditions, suspicious oral lesions and risk factors associated with oral cancer. The scale of the outreach reflects an increasingly important public-health principle: oral healthcare cannot rely solely on people seeking treatment after problems develop. Prevention, early recognition and access to basic screening within communities can help bring oral healthcare closer to populations that may not routinely seek dental care. Nearly 700 screened as oral cancer awareness takes centre stage The initiative placed oral cancer prevention and early recognition alongside routine dental screening, giving participants information about warning signs, harmful habits and the importance of regular oral examinations. The screening included assessment for suspicious oral lesions and risk factors associated with oral cancer, while participants were counselled on maintaining good oral hygiene and seeking professional care when concerning symptoms or abnormalities arise. Oral cancer is a significant global health concern. The World Health Organization says cancers of the lip, oral cavity and oropharynx collectively rank among the most common cancers worldwide, while tobacco, alcohol and areca-nut use are important risk factors. WHO also identifies prevention and early detection as important components of reducing the burden of oral disease. That makes community-based awareness particularly important in settings where people may not routinely undergo dental examinations. Specialist LUMHS team strengthens community oral screening The initiative brought specialist academic expertise into the community through participation from Liaquat University of Medical and Health Sciences (LUMHS), Jamshoro. The LUMHS team participated under the leadership of Professor Dr. Sana Mirza, Chairperson, Department of Oral Pathology, bringing specialist expertise in oral diseases and community-based oral health screening. The participation strengthened the camp’s focus on identifying potentially concerning oral findings while giving community members greater exposure to specialist guidance on oral disease prevention and early recognition. The initiative also demonstrated how academic institutions and community-based organisations can connect specialist dental knowledge with preventive healthcare at the community level. 1, 000 toothbrush and toothpaste packs reinforce prevention The outreach extended beyond screening. Approximately 1, 000 toothbrushes and toothpaste packs were distributed among schoolchildren and community members as part of the preventive component of the initiative, with support from Colgate. The distribution provided participants with practical tools to reinforce the oral-hygiene guidance delivered during the camp and extended the preventive message beyond the screening itself. The emphasis on prevention aligns with WHO’s call for a shift from a predominantly curative approach to one that promotes oral health within families, schools and communities and strengthens timely access to primary oral healthcare. DentEd leadership brings dental education into community service The DentEd Collective’s participation was led by Dr. Alssa Uqaily, President, and Dr. Sanaullah Soomro, Vice President, who coordinated the organisation’s role in the community outreach activity. DentEd’s inter-institutional participation also brought together campus teams from different dental institutions. The Muhammad Dental College team was led by Muhammad Mustafa, while Muaz Buzdar represented and led the team from Bhittai Dental College. The camp reflected DentEd’s broader vision of connecting dental education, professional development, youth leadership and community oral-health service, while encouraging students and young dental professionals to take active roles in preventive healthcare. That element gave the initiative significance beyond a single screening exercise: it also created an opportunity for emerging dental professionals to participate directly in community-based prevention and public-health education. Local dental professionals add clinical support The screening effort was further strengthened by local dental expertise. Dr. Aun Muhammad Qaimkhani, Consultant Prosthodontist and a Digri-based dental practitioner, participated in the camp and contributed to the clinical examination of attendees. The wider dental team included Abdullah Riaz Qaimkhani, Muhammad Talha Khaskheli, Muhammad Hassan Khatti, Ujala Khan Khattak, Ghazala Eidan, Muhammad Muazin Yousuf, Muhammad Asim, Muhammad Talha Ansar, Muhammad Sarfaraz and Muhammad Waqas Chattha. They contributed to patient screening, oral-health education, coordination and community engagement throughout the initiative. Community support expands the reach of oral-health message The camp also received participation and support from local leadership and community representatives. Those acknowledged by the organisers included Madam Asma Sardar, Headmistress; Mir Zulfiqar Ali Talpur, Chairman, Town Committee Digri; Dr. Ilyas Jatt, Medical Superintendent; Dr. Azam Akhtar Qaimkhani, Senior Medical Officer; Haji Sarwar; Dr. Naeem Qaimkhani; Haji Safdari Ali Kaim Khani; Muhammad Hassnain; Shazer Kamran; Nadeem Ahmed; members of the journalist community; and other respected local personalities. Their participation and support contributed to the smooth organisation of the camp and helped extend its community reach. Taking oral cancer prevention beyond the dental clinic The deeper significance of the initiative lies in where and how oral healthcare was delivered. Rather than limiting dental services to conventional clinical settings, the DentEd Collective and its collaborating teams brought screening, oral cancer awareness, preventive counselling and oral-health education directly into the community. This approach is closely aligned with the broader public-health direction advocated by WHO, which says oral diseases disproportionately affect disadvantaged populations and that prevention and access to oral healthcare should be strengthened within communities and primary healthcare systems. For oral cancer in particular, early recognition matters because potentially concerning lesions and early-stage disease can be identified through clinical examination, while reducing exposure to major risk factors remains central to prevention. IARC and WHO identify tobacco and areca-nut use among important preventable risk factors, particularly in regions where these products are widely used. The Digri initiative therefore carried a message much larger than the numbers recorded at one camp: oral healthcare is not only about treating disease after it appears — it is also about reaching people early, recognising risk, encouraging healthier habits and making preventive care accessible. With approximately 690 people screened and around 1, 000 toothbrush and toothpaste packs distributed, the DentEd Collective-led initiative brought together dental professionals, academic specialists, students, community representatives and local stakeholders around that preventive mission. Its broader purpose was clear: move dentistry beyond treatment and closer to prevention, early detection, awareness and accessible oral healthcare for the community. Stay connected with Dental News Pakistan pk/10-Sep-2026/major-community-dental-drive-screens-nearly-700-oral-disease-cancer” target=”_blank” rel=”nofollow noopener noreferrer”>Read full story on Dental News