DENTAL OUTREACH BY UNIVERSITY OF NAIROBI DENTAL STUDENTS

Nairobi University Dental Students Association (NUDSA) in partnership with Kenya Dental Association(KDA)and Pepsodent Kenya did an outreach among University of Nairobi students. The aim of this outreach was to promote oral hygiene practices such as proper tooth brushing, eating less cariogenic food and scheduled visits to an oral health care provider among students of the university.

Proposed plans were to have a walk from the University of Nairobi Dental School to the University Graduation Square before conducting oral education and screening among students. Permit was given by various stake holders that is the university administration and regional police commander. However due to the current rising numbers of COVID 19 cases and guidelines given by the President of our beloved country, which prohibited large gathering sit was advised by the Community dentistry department to have an alternative means of spreading the information to the students.

The outreach begun among dental students and staff of the school of dental sciences on Friday 19thMarch 22, 2021where 200 tooth pastes and tooth brushes were issued. The same students participated in taking photos and videos encouraging others members of the public to be proud of their mouths and practice oral hygiene practices. Saturday 20thMarch 22, 2021Dental students a total of 79 gathered at the university of Nairobi graduation square, they were dressed in uniform t shirts provided by the KDA.

Speeches by the Chairmen of the community dentistry department and NUDSA were read out. Infection control means that is masks and hand sanitization was ensured. Posters with dental hygiene practices information were used as a means of communication. Photographs were taken and shared through various social platforms (Twitter, WhatsApp, Facebook and Instagram) containing students of the university and general public.

The graduation square had approximately 300 students participating in various sports. Dental students were split into groups and facilitated distribution of toothpastes and toothbrushes provided by Pepsodent Kenya. A total of 150 to 200 rooms of students were also visited by groups of 2 dental students and toothpastes and toothbrushes were distributed as dental hygiene practices were promoted.

The outreach was closed at 1 pm through a vote of thanks by the NUDSA team leaders to its members. We would like to thank the various stakeholders who made it possible for this outreach to happen.