Now, weekly dental camps for prisoners in Arthur Road jail

City-based Government Dental College has started holding weekly camps in Arthur Road jail, where prisoners are examined and treated free of cost for their dental ailments.
Dr Mansingh Pawar, dean of the dental hospital, said the initiative, which was kick-started on Oral Hygiene Day on August 1, is aimed at allaying security concerns arising out of prisoners being brought to the hospital for treatment.
"We have decided to visit Arthur Road jail every Wednesday to examine and treat the prisoners. A team of three doctors, one helper and a mobile van has been deputed for the task," Dr Pawar told PTI.

Around 100 prisoners have been examined and treated in the past two visits made by the doctors.
"We get a lot of prisoners from jails for dental treatment. Our visits will be convenient for both the parties. This is being done for the well-being of the prisoners," Dr Pawar said.
He added that initially he was mulling to set up a satellite centre in the jail premises to keep doctors on standby in case of emergencies, but the jail administration was not too keen on the proposal. "Then we thought of using our own mobile van," he said.

Dr Rajesh Gaikwad, Associate Professor at the Government Dental College said the 'oral hygiene day' is celebrated in the country in memory of Periodontologist Dr G B Shankwalkar, also an ex-dean of the hospital.

"It was his dream to spread oral hygiene to common man. Around 70 per cent of India's population lives in rural areas and about 60 per cent of Mumbai lives in slums, where oral hygiene is rare. There is a great deal of awareness required in such places," he said.
According to him, the college has been honoured with the first prize for best celebration of oral hygiene day among 300 dental colleges across the country.