In observance of World No Tobacco Day 2026, the Department of Public Health Dentistry, Ranjeet Deshmukh Dental College and Research Centre, Nagpur, organized a series of awareness and screening activities from 29th May to 31st May 2026 with the objective of educating the community about the harmful effects of tobacco use, promoting tobacco cessation, and facilitating early detection of oral precancerous lesions and oral cancer.
Activity 1: Public Health Awareness Lecture and Oral Cancer Screening Camp
29 th May 2026
Nagar Parishad, Wadi, Nagpur
A public health awareness lecture was organized for the sanitary workers of Nagar Parishad, Wadi. The program aimed to educate the participants regarding the ill effects of tobacco consumption, including smoking and smokeless forms of tobacco, and their association with oral cancer and other systemic diseases. Faculty members and postgraduate students from the Department of Public Health Dentistry delivered an informative session highlighting the hazards associated with tobacco use, signs and symptoms of oral precancerous lesions, methods of tobacco cessation, and the importance of regular oral health examinations.
Following the awareness session, an oral screening camp was conducted for all willing participants. Comprehensive oral examinations were performed to identify precancerous lesions, precancerous conditions, and early signs of oral cancer. Individuals requiring further evaluation and treatment were counseled and referred to Ranjeet Deshmukh Dental College and Research Centre for advanced management. The activity successfully enhanced awareness among sanitary workers, a population often exposed to occupational stress and vulnerable to tobacco addiction, thereby contributing to early detection and prevention of oral cancer.

Activity 2: Interdepartmental Painting Competition on Tobacco Hazards
30 th May 2026
Ranjeet Deshmukh Dental College and Research Centre, Nagpur To promote creativity and reinforce anti-tobacco messages among students and healthcare professionals, the Department of Public Health Dentistry organized an Interdepartmental Painting Competition on the theme “Tobacco Hazards”. A total of nine departments actively participated in the competition. Participants expressed the detrimental effects of tobacco consumption through innovative and thought-provoking artworks depicting oral cancer, health consequences of tobacco use, and the importance of adopting a tobacco-free lifestyle.
The paintings submitted during the competition will be permanently displayed in the Patient Registration Area of the institution. These visual messages will serve as continuous educational tools for patients and visitors, motivating them to quit tobacco habits and adopt healthier lifestyles. The competition witnessed enthusiastic participation and successfully fostered awareness regarding tobacco-related health hazards through artistic expression.

Activity 3: Oral Cancer Screening and Health Awareness Rally
In Association with Gayatri Parivar (NGO)
31st May 2026
Manewada, Nagpur
The Department of Public Health Dentistry collaborated with Gayatri Parivar, a renowned social service organization, to conduct an oral cancer screening camp and health awareness rally at Manewada, Nagpur. The program primarily targeted daily wage workers, a group recognized as being at increased risk of tobacco consumption due to occupational and socioeconomic factors. Oral examinations were carried out to detect early signs of oral cancer and precancerous lesions. Participants were educated regarding tobacco cessation, self- examination techniques, and the significance of seeking timely dental care.
A health awareness rally was subsequently organized in the locality to disseminate anti- tobacco messages among the general public. Students, faculty members, NGO volunteers, and community members participated actively in the rally carrying placards, banners, and slogans advocating a tobacco-free society. The rally attracted considerable public attention and effectively communicated the message of tobacco prevention and oral cancer awareness.