The Department of Public Health Dentistry aims at providing quality oral health care by preventing oral diseases and promoting oral health through organized community efforts. The department of Public Health Dentistry focuses on creating evidence base, equipping the students with research skills and enhancing their competencies in community oral health care.
The Department of Public Health Dentistry formerly named as Community Dentistry was functioning under the Department of Periodontics. The Department became independent in the year 2014. The first milestone achieved in the Department was the Mobile Dental Van which came into existence in the year 2013. The Department Museum with specimens, models and charts came into existence in the year 2014. Inauguration of the independent Department was done by Sri. V.S. Sivakumar, Hon’ble Minister for Health, on 21st December 2015 presided by Sri. M.A. Vahid MLA in the presence of Shri. V.K. Prasanth (Hon. Mayor, Thiruvananthapuram), Dr. K. Ellangovan (Health Secretary), Shri. Biju Prabhakar IAS (District Collector), Dr. RemlaBeevi A (Director of Medical Education) and Dr. Prasanthila Janam (Principal, Govt. Dental College, Thiruvananthapuram).
Two satellite centres are attached to the Department (Primary Health Centre at Pangappara and Indian Institute of Diabetes, Pulayanarkotta).
- Appraising the knowledge of the students regarding public health, preventive dentistry, public health problems in India, Nutrition, Environment and their role in health, basics of dental statistics, epidemiological methods, National oral health policy with emphasis on oral health policy,
- Identifying health problems affecting the society, conducting health surveys, conducting health education classes and deciding health strategies.
- Developing communication skills
There are 4 clinics functioning under the Department of Public Health Dentistry:
- Preventive Clinic, Govt. Dental College, Trivandrum
- Satellite Dental Clinic at Integrated Family Health Centre, Pangappara
- Satellite Dental Clinic at Indian Institute of Diabetes, Pulayanarkotta
- Mobile Dental clinic
- Preventive dental treatment including topical fluoride application and pit and fissure sealants.
- Temporary restorations
- Glass ionomer restorations
- Other basic treatments including normal extractions, oral prophylaxis etc.
- Oral hygiene instructions and brushing technique demonstration
- Comprehensive dental treatment for medically compromised children and elderly
- Dental screening and treatment camps in the underprivileged areas of Trivandrum and Kollam district
- Oral cancer screening and awareness camps in tribal and rural areas
- School dental health camp
- Treatment for special school children
- Health talks regarding oral cancer and major dental diseases.
- Dental health exhibitions.
