D.R. Prithviraj, Sounder Raj K, Prema, Shruthi D P, Abhishekha Patil, Satyam Gaur, Rachana Srivastava

ABSTRACT

The main aim of the denture camp is providing the dentures for poor and downtrodden people who cannot afford to come to the city and spend money and spare time. This report presents the efficient way of conducting a denture camp and tackling the shortcomings faced during the course. When treating a vast population in camps, it calls for more number of instruments, materials and equipments, lot of manpower in terms of doctors, dental mechanics, and supporting staff. A total of 210 patients were selected for the denture camp. The patients were instructed to come early morning at 8 am on the scheduled camp date and organizers made necessary arrangements for their stay and food for one night during the camp, as most of the patients were from surrounding villages. Dentures were delivered on next day afternoon. Dentures have become a necessity for maintenance of overall health of the edentulous patients. Many difficulties were encountered during this camp. Though there were many hurdles, the team had taken a brave step with the dedication, and hard work of technicians, and doctors the camp was successful in treating the patients. In spite of all the difficulties faced, the dedicated teamwork proved fruitful in rehabilitating 186 completely edentulous patients in short span of 24 h. The efforts of the team were highly appreciated by the local people, organizers, media and others.