Asnani programme strengthens oral health, dental disease prevention among students

Doha, Qatar - The Annual Report of the Asnani School Oral Health Programme for the 2025-2026 academic year, released by the Oral Health Promotion and Prevention Section at Qatar's Primary Health Care Corporation (PHCC), highlights the program's ongoing efforts to enhance oral health and prevent dental diseases among Qatari students.

Manager of the program, Dr. Najat Alyafei, detailed the program's commitment to promoting oral health and preventing dental issues through comprehensive screening, health education, preventive measures, and referrals for further treatment when necessary.

During the 2025-2026 school year, the program screened 25,985 students, including 3,055 Kindergarten and 22,930 Primary school students. Screening was conducted with the consent of 92% of parents. Of those screened, 19,454 students received fluoride varnish treatment, and 5,813 students (22% of those screened) were referred to Health Centers for additional dental care, with 72% of referred students following up on their appointments.

Dr. Al Yafei stressed that the program's scope should encompass more than just disease detection, emphasizing the importance of early prevention, health education, and proper referrals for treatment. The report revealed that dental caries remains a significant concern, particularly in children's deciduous teeth, with 66% of Kindergarten students and 76% of Primary school students affected. Permanent dentition caries prevalence also remained high, at 32% among Primary school students.

However, the report noted a promising trend in permanent teeth caries prevalence among Primary school students, which declined from 43% in 2022-2023 to 32% in 2025-2026. This decline in caries prevalence among older children indicates the program's positive impact on long-term oral health outcomes.