In a move towards enhancing maternal and child health in Kerala, India, the Amrita School of Dentistry is launching a groundbreaking initiative aimed at boosting oral health awareness among young mothers and their children.
The project, “Impact of an education training package to Anganwadi workers for improving oral health knowledge among mother-child dyads in Kerala, India,” will train local community health workers—Anganwadi workers—to deliver vital oral health education in the Cochin area, significantly improving access to dental health education for these families.
Empowering Community Health Workers
Backed by a grant from The Borrow Foundation, this year-long project is expected to directly benefit over 6,000 children and mothers, with an indirect impact on 20,000 family members.
The initiative will focus on providing Anganwadi workers with a comprehensive oral health training package, enabling them to integrate dental health into their everyday maternal and childcare services. This aligns with the goals of the National Oral Health Programme (NOHP), which emphasizes prevention and early intervention for common oral health issues, particularly in early childhood.
Research and Evaluation
By combining surveys, interviews, and focus groups, the research will evaluate the effectiveness, coverage, and impact of the training programme. The aim is to create a scalable model that could be implemented across Kerala and potentially other regions in India.
The Borrow Foundation’s support is critical to ensuring the project’s success, driving a much-needed focus on integrating oral health within broader community health services.
Long-Term Impact
This initiative represents a potential game-changer in public health, promoting long-term improvements in maternal and child well-being through accessible oral health education. It highlights the importance of local capacity-building and community-driven health initiatives.
"Training the trainers: Strengthening oral health knowledge at the grassroots to improve maternal and child well-being in Kerala."
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