Budgam: In a significant move to strengthen rural healthcare services, the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Government Dental College and Hospital (GDCH) Srinagar, in collaboration with the Department of Community Medicine, Government Medical College (GMC) Srinagar, inaugurated a Satellite Dental Health Centre at PHC Khaag in Budgam district on Monday.
The facility has been established to provide comprehensive oral healthcare services to rural and underserved populations of the Khaag area, which caters to a population of around 52,000.
The centre was inaugurated by Advocate Saif Ud Din Bhat, MLA Khansahib, who termed the initiative a model of inter-departmental collaboration aimed at decentralising healthcare services and ensuring access to quality treatment at the grassroots level. He inaugurated the centre by cutting the ribbon and interacted with the first beneficiaries.
Speaking on the occasion, the MLA highlighted the growing importance of public health dentistry in modern healthcare. He stressed the need for preventive oral healthcare, awareness programmes, and outreach services in rural areas, adding that such initiatives help reduce the burden of advanced dental diseases and make healthcare more accessible and affordable.
The event was attended by Prof. (Dr) Sandeep Kaur Bali, Principal/Dean, GDC Srinagar; Prof. (Dr) S. Saleem Khan, Head, Department of Community Medicine, GMC Srinagar; and Dr. Aasim Farooq Shah, Head, Department of Public Health Dentistry, GDC Srinagar.
The officials said the satellite centre would serve as a hub for preventive care, routine dental check-ups, emergency procedures, oral hygiene awareness campaigns, school outreach programmes, and community screening camps. The centre will also provide fluoride applications, sealants, and referral linkages to GDCH Srinagar for advanced dental procedures.
Among others present were Dr. Mohammad Ashraf Wani, BMO PHC Khaag, and Dr. Anjum, Dental Surgeon posted at the centre.
The organisers said the initiative reflects a coordinated effort between GDCH Srinagar and GMC Srinagar to improve public health indicators and ensure equitable healthcare access in Budgam district. They also expressed commitment to replicating similar models in other underserved areas of Jammu and Kashmir.
Satellite Dental Health Centre Inaugurated at Khaag
