The Dental Outreach program, comprising two phases, has been instrumental in advancing oral health awareness and providing crucial dental services to schools in the community. Phase One, conducted from May 4th to May 25th, 2023, was expanded from two to eight educational institutions. This phase successfully educated 332 individuals (305 students from primary and secondary schools and 27 teachers). Additionally, 65 students across seven schools received referrals for further management.
Building on the success of Phase One, Phase Two took place in the Eniosa community from October 19th to 20th, 2023. This phase educated 893 individuals (871 students and 22 teachers across four schools). The campaign was directed at a diverse demographic, spanning children, teenagers, and adults, fostering heightened awareness of oral hygiene. There were 41 referrals for further management. While both phases encountered challenges, including misinformation and time constraints affecting oral examinations, future campaigns aim to proactively counter misinformation. Despite these obstacles, the outreach
efforts proved successful in reaching a substantial audience, emphasizing the ongoing importance of oral hygiene education. The collective commitment of the dental team paved the way for increased patronage of services, highlighting the vital role of such initiatives in the community. In conclusion, the two phases of the Dental Outreach program, the program showcased real-time effectiveness in addressing dental health issues thus contributing significantly to oral health education and services within the community. Plans are underway for future programs leveraging on these successes and addressing identified
challenges to enhance their overall impact.
