Venue: Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi

Date: 15 April 2025, Timings: 10:00 AM – 01:00 P.M.

Introduction:

The TNAI Delhi Branch, in collaboration with the National Resource Centre (NRC), organised a one-day capacity-building and training workshop on Oral Health and Tobacco Cessation (NRC-OH & TC) at Maulana Azad Institute of Dental Sciences (MAIDS), New Delhi. The program focused on enhancing nursing professionals’ knowledge and skills in oral health and tobacco cessation, aiming to integrate preventive oral health practices into everyday nursing care.

Objectives:

• To raise awareness about the importance of oral health in general well-being.

• To equip nursing professionals with knowledge of common oral diseases and their prevention.

• To build capacity in tobacco cessation techniques, including brief interventions and nursing management in tertiary healthcare settings.

 • To promote interprofessional collaboration in preventing and controlling tobacco-related oral diseases.

Participants:

The workshop was attended by over 70 nursing professionals from various government and private healthcare institutions in Delhi. Representatives from TNAI and faculty from MAIDS participated actively in the training. The pre–test and post-test were taken from the participants.

Program Highlights – Inaugural Ceremony:

The event commenced with a welcome address by the master of ceremonies, Mrs. Asha and Mrs. Bhawna Hooda. Then, Saraswati Vandana was followed by Lamp lighting.

• Then, Dr. Vikrant Mohanty, Principal Coordinator and Project Head, NRC OH&TC, MAIDS, gave the Overview of NRC-OH-TC, MAIDS.
• Welcome Address delivered by Dr. Arundeep Kaur Lamba, Director, Principal, MAIDS
• Special Guest address was delivered by Dr. V. Indumathy, Secretary, TNAI Delhi Branch.
• Special Address by Dr. Timothy McAfee, Consultant, Vital Strategies, former Director, Office on Smoking and Health, CDC, Atlanta and Professor, Department of Social Behavioural Science, University of California, San Francisco
• Address by Guest of Honour – Dr. Deepika Cecil Khakha, Nursing Advisor, Directorate General of Health Services, MoHFW, GoI, Nirman Bhawan.
• Students at the dental college presented a wonderful Nukkad Natak.
• Address by the Chief Guest – Dr. Navin Verma, Deputy Director, EMR at DGHS, MoHFW, GoI
• Vote of Thanks given by Mrs. Babita, ANS of MAIDS.

Highlights of Scientific Sessions:

• 11:30 AM – 12 Noon: Oral Health and Its Importance in General Health: Common Oral Disease and its Screening Method was discussed by Dr. Radhika Gupta, Research Officer, NRC-OH-TC, MAIDS. This session highlighted the common oral health issues, the link between oral and systemic diseases, and the importance of preventive oral care.
• 12 Noon – 12:30 PM: Recognition and Early Intervention in Oral Diseases: This session trained nurses to identify early signs of dental caries, gingivitis, oral cancer, and other conditions, as well as an appropriate referral system for patients. Tobacco Addiction and Nicotine Dependence by Dr. Deeksha Sethi, Clinical Psychologist, NRC-OH-TC, MAIDS
• 12:30 PM – 12:50 PM: Tobacco and Oral Health: Challenges and Interventions: Tobacco Cessation Intervention session discussed by Dr. Vikrant Mohanty, Principal Coordinator and Project Head, NRC-OH-TC, MAIDS. A detailed overview was provided on the harmful effects of tobacco on oral health. Strategies for tobacco cessation, including the 5A’s (Ask, Advise, Assess, Assist, Arrange), were highlighted in this session.
• 12:50 PM – 01:10 PM: Role of Nurses in Tobacco Cessation and Nursing Management in Tertiary Healthcare Settings dealt by Mrs. Suman Yadav, Nursing Officer & President, NWA, MAIDS
• 01:10 PM – 01:30 PM: Scope of Nursing Professionals in Oral Health and Tobacco Cessation by Dr. Aswini Y.B., Project Incharge & Link Officer, NRC-OH-TC, MAIDS
• 01:30 PM – 02:00 PM: Open Discussion, Feedback and Valedictory by:  Team NRC-OH-TC, MAIDS

Conclusion:

The one-day training at MAIDS, in collaboration with TNAI Delhi, proved to be a significant step toward strengthening the role of nursing professionals in oral health promotion and tobacco cessation. Empowering nurses with such knowledge and tools is crucial for achieving better public health outcomes, especially in a country where the burden of tobacco-related oral diseases remains high.