LARKANA: The Bibi Aseefa Dental College (BADC), Larkana, marked the World Oral Health Day and the Pakistan Day by organising various activities, including an awareness walk and displaying students research projects to create awareness about oral health.
In the awareness walk held in connection with the World Oral Health Day, and other events organised on the college campus, citizens, students, faculty members and officials participated. Students also set up face painting and food stalls on the occasion.
On the occasion, Shaheed Mohtarma Benazir Bhutto Medical University (SMBBMU) Vice Chancellor Prof Nusrat Shah said oral health is related to overall health of the body and impacts not just physical health, but also mental, emotional and social health, says a press release issued by the varsity spokesman.
She warned that the most important risk factor for dental cavities was sugar, adding that sugar addiction starts from childhood as children are encouraged to eat sweets and chocolates. Because of this, she said, a majority of the children suffer from cavities. Children should be encouraged to eat fruits and vegetables from a young age, she advised.
Ms Shah said more people die of sugar addiction as compared to heroin and cocaine addiction, while sugar intake also leads to diabetes, high blood pressure, cardiovascular diseases and stroke.
She said oral health is also important for a beautiful smile as healthy teeth give confidence and help in relationship building.
She appreciated students for their research projects and announced that the varsity will give cash prizes of Rs100,000 for each research proposal accepted by an impact factor journal for publication.
Larkana commissioner said dentists are the people who make our smiles more beautiful. He visited all the stalls set up by students and asked them questions about their research projects.
The commissioner also announced Rs50,000 cash prize each for the students who set up research stalls. Principal Prof Dr Yusuf Shah said the event was aimed to create awareness about oral health among the public, adding that the health of the teeth and mouth is the health of the whole body.
He appreciated the efforts of Vice Principal Prof Saleem Raza Khuhawar and teachers of the college for organising the event that was also attended by faculty and students of BADC.
