Asia & Australia

Aim: To promote oral health awareness and assess the oral health status of children & their parents attending the United Schools Organisation (USO) of India Co-Action Learning Centre through oral health education and dental screening.

Objectives of conducting the camp:
• To educate the patients regarding the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene.
• To demonstrate the correct toothbrushing technique.
• To create awareness about the causes and prevention of common oral diseases.
• To identify common oral health problems through dental screening.
• To provide appropriate oral health advice and referrals whenever required.

The Department of Public Health Dentistry, Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), conducted a Dental Screening and Oral Health Education Camp at the USO Co-Action Learning Centre, Rajiv Gandhi Camp, Chitra Vihar, Delhi, on 30th July 2026.

The programme commenced with an interactive oral health education session for children. The session included discussion on existing oral hygiene practices, demonstration of the correct toothbrushing technique using a toothbrushing demonstration model, education on the causes and prevention of common oral diseases, the importance of twice-daily brushing with fluoridated toothpaste, dietary counselling for reducing sugar intake, and awareness regarding the harmful effects of using tobacco.

Following the educational session, dental screening of the children was carried out to assess their oral health status. Oral hygiene instructions were reinforced, and children requiring further dental care were advised to seek treatment at Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences.

After completion of the camp, an interaction was held with the representatives of the United Schools Organisation (USO). The team shared details about the various initiatives undertaken by the organisation, including educational support for underprivileged children, facilitation of school admissions, and the organisation of regular health camps such as medical and eye screening programmes.

Oral health education was successfully delivered to the children, resulting in increased awareness regarding the importance of maintaining good oral hygiene practices. The children were taught the correct toothbrushing technique through a live demonstration using a Toothbrushing demonstration model, enabling them to understand the proper method of brushing for effective plaque removal.

Awareness regarding the causes, progression and prevention of common oral diseases was created. Dental screening was done for about 29 children aged 3-11 years which facilitated the identification of patients with poor oral hygiene, plaque accumulation and untreated dental conditions, while a few of them were found to have satisfactory oral health status.

Individual oral hygiene instructions were provided to all children in a fun learning way, and those requiring further dental care were advised to report to the dental hospital for comprehensive evaluation and treatment.

The team was led by Dr. Maninder – Senior Resident, Dept. of Public Health Dentistry, Dr. Mehak Jain – Postgraduate Student, Shashank – Intern, Anjali – Nursing Officer and overall supervision by Dr. Vikrant Mohanty, Prof. and Head of Department of Public Health Dentistry, MAIDS.

Border Patrol Police (BPP) schools serve as strategic hubs for improving the livelihoods and health of children in Thailand’s most remote border regions.

The Challenge: Reaching the Underserved

Children living in Thailand’s remote border areas have historically faced severe geographic constraints and limited health infrastructure, restricting mobile dental outreach to merely 1–2 visits per year. Baseline data from 2025 indicated that only 60% of children aged 6–12 in BPP school zones had access to basic dental care, with 16% suffering from untreated dental caries. These stark disparities highlighted the urgent need to transition from sporadic outreach to an integrated, continuous oral healthcare system embedded directly within the community.

Strategic Multi-Sectoral Collaboration

To overcome long-standing geographical and resource barriers, the Ministry of Public Health (Department of Health & Office of the Permanent Secretary) and the Border Patrol Police Bureau signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) for the “BPP Schools United for Cavity-Free Thai Children” project on November 10, 2025.

The Prototype: The “Pa La-U Model”

To test and refine this framework before nationwide implementation across all 222 BPP schools, the project established the “Pa La-U Model” at Naresuan Pa La-U BPP School in Prachuap Khiri Khan Province. Aligned with ACFF principles, the model drives preventive care through the “Mission to Defeat 3 Villains” campaign, promoting the 222+1 toothbrushing technique and eliminating sugary snacks and beverages from school cooperatives. Concurrently, the “Tanta Pitak” Dental Building (officially inaugurated on April 18, 2026) serves as a hub for proactive dental care, supported by a robust network of sub-district health-promoting hospitals and the district hospital.

Key outcomes (Based on pilot school):

• Health Literacy: Oral health literacy increased by 68%.
• Preventive Behaviour: Adherence to proper toothbrushing increased by 83%, and sugar consumption dropped by 95%.
• Access to Care: Dental service utilisation increased by 42% (since Dec 15, 2025), with primary school students receiving 104 comprehensive treatments, including fillings, extractions, scaling, and sealants.
Furthermore, intraoral cameras have been provided to all BPP schools to support oral health surveillance. This initiative not only screens students’ oral health but also enhances their skills and oral health literacy by allowing them to visualise and understand their own oral health status.

Looking Ahead: Sustainable Scaling

Building on the concrete outcomes of the Pa La-U prototype, the Border Patrol Police Bureau has outlined a strategic expansion plan to construct 12 additional “Tanta Pitak” dental facilities across Thailand, laying a sustainable foundation to achieve a cavity-free future for children in remote communities across Thailand.
This project demonstrates how multi-sectoral leadership, localised infrastructure, and technology-driven prevention can break down geographic barriers—laying a permanent foundation toward a cavity-free future for every Thai child, regardless of where they live.

APDSA Pakistan is the key driver behind the newly formed ACFF Pakistan Chapter – formed in 2026.

APDSA Pakistan’s Taleem e Muskaan initiative combines teacher training, oral health education, and free dental treatment to expand access to underserved populations in northern Pakistan.

Expanding access to oral healthcare in underserved communities remains one of the biggest public health challenges in Pakistan. Addressing that gap, the APDSA Pakistan Graduate Alumni Community recently conducted the Taleem e Muskaan North Expedition 2026, a community-focused initiative aimed at improving oral health awareness and delivering free dental treatment in remote areas of northern Pakistan.

The expedition combined preventive oral health education with direct clinical care, bringing dental services to communities where access to professional oral healthcare remains extremely limited.
Built around a two-pronged model, Taleem e Muskaan focuses on both long-term oral health education and immediate patient care. The first component centers on teacher training, equipping educators with oral health knowledge so they can serve as oral health advocates within their schools and communities. The second component involves providing direct dental treatment to underserved populations through outreach-based clinical services delivered by young dental professionals.

The initiative aligns with the goals of the WHO Global Oral Health Strategy 2023–2030 and the vision of the FDI World Dental Federation to improve access to essential oral healthcare services and reduce inequalities in oral health outcomes worldwide.

The program began at Allied School Peshawar Road Campus in Islamabad, where 50 teachers participated in a structured oral health training program. The sessions focused on oral hygiene practices, prevention of common dental diseases, and strategies for promoting oral health awareness among schoolchildren.

Organizers believe that empowering teachers can create a sustainable community impact, as trained educators can influence hundreds of students throughout their careers and help establish healthier oral hygiene habits from an early age.

Following the educational phase, the APDSA team traveled to Kalam Valley, where community-based dental screening and treatment activities were conducted. Residents received oral examinations, preventive care, and restorative treatment services aimed at addressing unmet oral health needs.

The outreach program was designed to bridge gaps in access to dental care for communities that often face geographical, logistical, and economic barriers to receiving professional treatment.
APDSA Pakistan said the initiative reflects a broader commitment to advancing community dentistry and promoting equitable access to oral healthcare across the country. The organization emphasized that preventive education and early intervention remain among the most effective tools for reducing the burden of oral disease.

The project also provided valuable opportunities for young dental graduates to engage directly with public health challenges while contributing to community service and professional development.
Organizers noted that oral diseases continue to affect millions of people globally, with disadvantaged and remote populations often experiencing the greatest barriers to care.

Community-based programs such as Taleem e Muskaan can help address these disparities by bringing oral health services closer to the people who need them most. By combining education, awareness, and clinical care, the initiative demonstrates how partnerships between young healthcare professionals, educational institutions, and community stakeholders can contribute to improving oral health outcomes in underserved regions.

As Pakistan continues to strengthen efforts toward universal health coverage and preventive healthcare, programs such as Taleem e Muskaan highlight the growing role of youth-led dental outreach initiatives in expanding oral health awareness and improving access to care for vulnerable populations

The Malaysia Chapter was the 8th Chapter to be formed under the ACFF’s Global umbrella and has consistently delivered a broad range of impressive and collaborative achievements. It has evolved actively over time to adapt to the ever-changing health and political landscapes.

Launching in October 2013, to celebrate over a decade of excellence, the Chapter has published an e-book celebrating their achievements and the hard work of the many committed members, partners and sponsors.

The ACFF Japan Chapter, chaired by Mikako Hayashi, has completed the ICCMS e-learning in Japanese after a long journey of three years.

Before launching the e-learning the Chapter refined the contents following three sessions with Japanese university teachers, clinicians and hygienists.  They received feedback from approximately 100 professionals who treat dental caries in their daily clinics. 

In December 2023, they hosted an e-learning training and learning session for university faculty members who teach clinical cariology to their undergraduate students.  A total of 20 out of Japan’s 29 dental schools participated.  This fruitful session allowed for tweaks to the final revision incorporating important comments and suggestions from the participants.  The feedback indicated that 94 per cent of the participants felt the e-learning was important for dental education and 91 per cent said they would include the e-learning in their teaching programmes. 

The Japanese Dental Hygienists Association has already started to use e-learning for the qualification of a specialist in clinical caries management. In 2024 the ACFF Japan Chapter is planning more sessions to disseminate e-learning to other fields, such as preventive and paediatric dentistry.  They are also reaching out to dental clinicians groups such as the Japan Health Care Dental Association led by Dr Sugiyama.