Title: M-Oral Health (Mallareddy oral health and community outreach activities)

Objectives:

The objective of this practice is to reach out to the high-risk populations in the community such as children, low-income families, senior citizens, and individuals with disabilities who may face barriers to access dental care. To create awareness on oral hygiene and early detection of oral diseases thereby reducing the disease burden on community. Also, aims at inculcating ethical responsibility and clinical proficiency among participating students ensuring they become well-rounded healthcare professionals capable of delivering compassionate and effective care to the patients.

Context:

MRIDS is part of Malla Reddy Health City, located in suraram, north part of Hyderabad City close to the industrial area of jeedimetla and is located on the highway to Medak. The north part of Hyderabad is also a hub for educational institutions. Malla Reddy Health City has become a destination for health care for the surrounding Districts of Medak, Sangareddy, Medchal, Siddipet and Hyderabad. However, affordability and awareness among the general public and students for dental care is poor.

The incidence of oral health related diseases are increasing due to changing lifestyle and habits across all sections of the society. MRIDS Public health department is actively involved in Dental Screening and oral health education and treatment services to the needy community in rural and urban settings. Institution has also launched a Dental Health Card in 2023, with the aim of providing comprehensive and subsidised oral Health care to the Community.

Practice:

Approach:
a. Dental screening included in all camps being conducted by MRIDS and its affiliated institutions.
b. Processing of dental camp requests on priority basis from NGOs and Voluntary organizations.
c. Screening and Referrals from Public Health Centers.
d. Referral from Malla Reddy Hospital Dental Department.
e. Enrollment for dental health card at all dental health camps and institutions.

Process:
Approaching the management of the educational institutions, Govt bodies and NGOs for the conduct of oral health camps.

Department of Public Health Dentistry is responsible for the conduct, follow-up and referral of all dental camp patients to MRIDS.

large number of programs have been conducted by the institution in last 5yrs (2018-2023).

Evidence of Success:

Increased patient inflow to the dental OPD seeking dental treatment over the years.
Increased awareness on oral hygiene practices among individuals of the community.
Increased requests from various NGO’s, schools and voluntary organizations for conduction of oral screening camps.
Increased enrollment of patients for dental health card.

Problems encountered and resources required:

Initially encountered resistance from individuals due to lack of awareness and deep rooted dental myths in rural areas and underprivileged communities. Accessability and affordability also are important barriers for seeking dental care. Dental health education camps played an important role for prevention and maintenance of oral health. Providing subsidized treatments, effective appointments and follow ups and feedbacks helped in providing consistent oral health solutions to the unreached.

Implementation of any practice requires commitment, team work and allotment of timely resources for the successful outcomes and our institute has been consistently exerting efforts in that direction.

Title: General Dental Practice (GDP) Training Program

Objectives:

Aimed at bridging the gap between obtaining a dental degree and entering private dental practice.
Preparation of participants for the demands of private clinical setting.
Improve the confidence and employability of the students passing out of MRIDS.
The overarching goal is to produce competent and ethical dental professionals capable of delivering high quality care to patients while adhering to professional standards and best practices in dentistry.

Context:

Beyond the curriculum training.
In-house dental training modules in various aspects relevant to private practice.
Collaborating with the industry in increasing the exposure to contemporary dental practice.
Develop clinical proficiency of interns in various dental procedures including diagnostics, preventive care, restorations, Endodontics, Periodontics, and oral surgery.
Commit to lifelong learning and professional development.

Process:
It combines theoretical instructions with hands-on clinical experience on various basic dental procedures.

Key modules

1. Root canal Module
2. Crown and Bridge module
3. Minor Oral Surgery Module
4. Basics in Dentistry by various clinical departments

Outcomes:
Improved confidence among the Interns to take up routine dental procedures and be able to perform without supervision. The passing graduates are able to undertake general dental practice confidently. The modules have provided great inputs and hands-on experience from experts.

Clinical Competence:
Graduates will demonstrate proficiency in a wide range of dental procedures, enabling them to provide comprehensive care to patients.

Patient Satisfaction:

Patients will receive high-quality dental care in a compassionate and respectful manner, leading to increased satisfaction with their dental experiences.

Professionalism:

Graduates will adhere to ethical standards and demonstrate professionalism in their interactions with patients, colleagues, and the community.

Practice Success:

Graduates who go on to establish their own practices will have the necessary skills in practice management to run successful and
compliant dental offices.

Problems encountered and Resources needed:

Integrating the training module into the regular academic calendar.
Faculty needs to dedicate extra time and resources.
Student motivation.
Financial constraints.

We are working towards subjugating all these factors for consistent implementation of the programs.

Notes

We have active MOU`s with the dental industry partners which supports the training modules.
1. Coltene
2. Dentsply Sirona
3. Dio Navi
Malla Reddy Institute of Dental Sciences is an approved academic training centre in partnership with
coltene(UDTC Training centre)