Amrita School of Dentistry hosted the inaugural ceremony of the Community Stakeholder Meeting, marking the commencement of the groundbreaking Anant Muskaan project. The event saw the participation of eminent personalities including Dr. Balagopal Varma R., Principal of Amrita School of Dentistry, and Dr. Vyas Sukumaran, District Programme Manager of NHM, Ernakulam. The chief guest, Adv. M. Anil Kumar, Mayor of Kochi Municipal Corporation, emphasized the importance of instilling good habits from a young age, pledging full support from local bodies. He expressed his best wishes for the success of the program and highlighted the pivotal role of teachers in shaping the community’s future.

The event also featured notable guests such as Sri. Manoj Moothedan, District Panchayat President of Ernakulam; Dr. Nitika Monga, Scientist-E and Program Officer at the Division of Developmental Research, ICMR Headquarters; Dr. Santhosh Thomas, President of the Kerala Dental Council; Sri Ramankutty, Director of Bharathiya Vidya Bhavan; Dr. Beena KV, Additional Medical Superintendent at Amrita Hospitals; and Dr. Chandrashekar Janakiram, Principal Investigator of Anant Muskaan and Research Head at Amrita School of Dentistry. During the ceremony, Dr. Arun Rao presented the model of Anant Muskaan, providing a comprehensive overview of the project’s objectives and methodologies.

Anant Muskaan

The Anant Muskaan project, spearheaded by Dr. Chandrashekar Janakiram, Principal Investigator and Research Head at Amrita School of Dentistry, is India’s first-ever community-based prevention program for oral health. The project’s co-investigators include Dr. Balagopal Varma, Dr. Vivek Narayan from the Government Medical College Kottayam, Dr. K R Thankappan and Dr. Aswathy S from Amrita Health Sciences, Dr. Jaideep Menon from Amrita Hospital, and Dr. Denny John from Ramaiah University.

This ambitious multi-site implementation research focuses on primary school-based toothbrushing and oral health education. Funded by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR), the project is set to run for three years across eight locations in India, including New Delhi, Chandigarh, Lucknow, Dibrugarh, Khordha, Wardha, Sindhudurg, and Kochi in South India.

Anant Muskaan aims to revolutionize oral health education in lower primary schools in Ernakulam by promoting daily tooth brushing and regular oral health education sessions led by schoolteachers. This comprehensive program not only educates children on proper oral hygiene practices but also provides free oral health checkups and hygiene kits to students.

Program Package Includes:

• Daily Tooth Brushing: Encouraging daily brushing with age-appropriate small head, soft bristle toothbrushes, and pea-sized amounts of 1000 ppm fluoridated toothpaste.
• Oral Health Education: Regular sessions conducted by teachers to instill good oral hygiene habits.
• Free Oral Health Checkups: Ensuring students receive regular dental care.
• Oral Hygiene Kits: Providing necessary tools for maintaining oral health.
• Certificates for Excellence: Recognizing the best teachers and schools for their efforts in promoting oral health.

The Anant Muskaan project is a monumental step towards improving the oral health of primary school children in India. By fostering good oral hygiene practices from a young age, this initiative aims to create a healthier future generation. With the collaborative efforts of the Government of India, state governments, local bodies, and educational institutions, Anant Muskaan is set to make a significant impact on the oral health landscape of the nation.