Temperature Update

The weather in Karachi has been extremely harsh lately, and it's likely the same in various parts of the world. Just yesterday, the "feels like" temperature soared to an unbearable 50°C, while the actual temperature was 41°C. According to recent news, England has issued a heatwave alert, and India is also experiencing unprecedented temperature spikes this year.

Two days ago, while I was traveling back from the hospital on my motorbike, I started feeling nauseous and experienced chest heaviness due to the excessive heat. I had to pull over, and thankfully, my friend brought me some cold sugarcane juice from a roadside vendor, which helped me feel better. It might seem like an overreaction, but considering the alarming news, within the last month alone, 726 people have died in Karachi due to the extreme heat

Work Update

Our welfare work continues to progress vigorously. The free dental camps for May and June have been successfully completed. As I mentioned in a previous comment, I had been coordinating with an orphanage to arrange a free dental check-up. This initiative also included awareness sessions, hands-on activities with the children, and the distribution of oral hygiene kits. I'm pleased to report that this outreach has been successfully executed, and I'll be sharing detailed experiences in this post. To date, we have conducted programs in more than four schools and one orphanage as part of our public outreach efforts.

This time, we engaged volunteers who were dental students in their junior and senior years to assist us with our program. Recognizing that our target audience ranged from primary school children to high school students, we decided to incorporate interactive elements alongside the routine free dental check-ups to make the experience more engaging and educational.

To achieve this, we developed a series of presentations focusing on various aspects of oral hygiene. These presentations covered essential topics tailored for children, such as proper brushing techniques, effective flossing methods, distinguishing between good and bad foods for dental health, and overall oral hygiene practices. Our goal was to provide the children with practical knowledge they could easily understand and implement in their daily routines.

In addition to the presentations, we set up multiple stations manned by professional dentists who conducted the dental check-ups. To further enhance the educational experience, we assigned two dental students to lead the 'Hands-on Training' segment. This interactive segment allowed the children to practice the techniques they had learned from the presentations under the guidance of the dental students.

The hands-on training was particularly well-received, as it provided a practical application of the theoretical knowledge shared in the presentations. The children were able to practice brushing and flossing on dental models, which helped to reinforce the importance of these habits. This interactive approach not only made the learning process more engaging but also ensured that the children could confidently apply these techniques at home.

I personally chose to lead the interactive session. Despite not being particularly fond of children for most of my life, I have been challenging myself to spend more time with them. This has been a long-term effort to step out of my comfort zone. I'll share some pictures below to show how much the kids enjoyed my presentations.

During my sessions, I covered the basics of brushing and flossing techniques. To make the presentations more engaging, I incorporated a question-and-answer segment, encouraging the kids to participate actively. I also invited a few students up on the big stage as volunteers. These volunteers demonstrated the brushing and flossing techniques they had just learned to their fellow students

This interactive approach not only made the session more enjoyable but also helped reinforce the lessons. The kids were enthusiastic and eager to participate, making the learning process fun and effective. The hands-on demonstrations allowed the children to visualize and practice proper oral hygiene techniques, ensuring they could apply these skills at home.

After the interactive session, we moved on to the OPD stations where our experienced dentists conducted check-ups for the students, who ranged in age from as young as 5 years old to 18 years old. The primary goal of these OPD stations was to diagnose and address neglected oral health issues, which are often overlooked in orphanages and schools like these. In Pakistan, oral hygiene is rarely prioritized until the pain becomes unbearable, making these preventive check-ups crucial.

During these OPD sessions, our dentists were able to identify several common dental problems that could be easily managed if the students were brought to our hospital for further treatment. Many children had small carious cavities that needed attention, while others required scaling to remove plaque and tartar buildup. Additionally, some students were identified as needing orthodontic intervention to correct misaligned teeth.

These diagnoses highlighted the importance of early detection and preventive care. By addressing these issues promptly, we can prevent more severe dental problems from developing in the future. The OPD sessions were instrumental in educating both the children and their teachers about the importance of regular dental check-ups and maintaining good oral hygiene practices.

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Ending Note

I am incredibly proud of myself and my team for successfully conducting consecutive dental outreach programs like this one. Over the past two months, we have carried out nine programs, and I believe my team deserves immense appreciation for their dedication and hard work. Without any financial assistance from the government or any private/public entity, we have managed to execute these programs successfully, even in such harsh conditions.

This particular outreach program at the orphanage was a significant undertaking, costing us over $150. These expenses included arranging dental models for demonstrations, providing lunch boxes for our volunteers, covering transport costs, and preparing goody bags for the children. Despite these challenges, our commitment to improving oral health and education for underprivileged children remained unwavering.

I want to extend a heartfelt thank you to the Steemit Inc. team for their constant support. Their encouragement and backing have been invaluable to us. Our success is a testament to what can be achieved through teamwork, dedication, and a shared vision of making a difference in our community.

Regards,
Dr. Huzaifa Naveed