Promoting brighter smiles for children in Sri Lanka

This is an initiative by The Health Promotion Bureau, in partnership with the Ministry of Education, National Institute of Education , and Save the Children, supported by the USDA-funded 'Food for Education and Child Nutrition' Programme (PALAM/A Project), to promote and priorize dental health and hygiene among primary grade school children.

Dental caries, dental trauma, gingival diseases and orthodontic issues remain the primary oral health concerns among primary school children in Sri Lanka, among which dental caries predominates. 

WHY IS ORAL HEALTH IMPORTANT?

Dental hygiene goes beyond just having strong teeth—it also encompasses healthy gums. For children, maintaining good oral health is essential for eating, speaking, singing, learning, and socializing comfortably.

Oral diseases are a significant burden among school children, with dental caries, gum diseases, and dental trauma being common issues. This is why the primary school years are crucial for adopting a healthy lifestyle. 

As primary school often serving as a second home for many children, this formative period is where teachers often develop lasting emotional bonds with their students. Primary grade teachers thus play a critical role in helping students achieve good oral health through their guidance and advice. By actively engaging teachers in promoting oral health awareness among students and parents, we can prevent and detect common oral health problems early on.

We believe that healthy children with healthy oral hygiene have the greatest opportunity to reach their highest academic potential. Join us in promoting oral health and empowering primary grade children to lead healthy, happy lives!