Sri Vijaya Puram, Sept.19: A school-level dental screening campaign across the Andaman and Nicobar Islands examined 5,821 children in 47 schools between June and August 2026, identifying dental caries as the most commonly observed oral health condition and referring 804 children for further evaluation and treatment.
The Directorate of Health Services, through the National Health Mission’s National Oral Health Programme (NOHP), conducted the screenings in coordination with teams under the Rashtriya Bal Swasthya Karyakram (RBSK).
The exercise covered schools across the Islands during the three-month period. Children found to require further assessment were referred to the nearest health facility equipped with a Dental Unit, with 804 students receiving such referrals.
Screening teams identified several oral health conditions among the children, including dental caries, gingival problems such as gingivitis, malocclusion and retained deciduous, or milk, teeth. Dental caries emerged as the most frequently detected condition during the campaign.
Alongside the clinical screening, the programme focused on improving children’s awareness of daily oral hygiene practices. Students were advised to brush their teeth twice a day and follow proper brushing techniques as part of routine dental care.
The awareness sessions also covered the need to replace toothbrushes every three months and rinse the mouth after meals. Students were encouraged to maintain healthy dietary practices and seek regular dental check-ups from a Dental Surgeon, preferably once every six months.
The school-level initiative combined screening with preventive health education, while referrals enabled children identified with oral health conditions to seek further assessment and treatment at facilities with Dental Units.
The campaign was undertaken under the National Oral Health Programme of the National Health Mission, with RBSK teams supporting the school-level screening activities across the Islands.
