NTTU Odonto-Stomatology Students Spread Oral Health Knowledge

On August 15, 2026, Nguyen Tat Thanh University (NTTU) in collaboration with the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Xom Chieu Ward organized the Green Summer campaign combined with Odonto-Stomatology Service-Learning, featuring health education communications, screening examinations, and oral health consultations, reaching 200 local primary school students.

The NTTU Odonto-Stomatology Service-Learning program in 2026 continued to be implemented at Bach Dang Primary School, Xom Chieu Ward, Ho Chi Minh City, under the direction of Assoc. Prof. Dr. MD. Nguyen Thi Hong – Dean of the Faculty, alongside the guidance and professional supervision of lecturer-doctors, with the active and responsible participation of numerous Odonto-Stomatology students. The activity contributed to bringing oral health knowledge and practice closer to the community, while creating an environment for Odonto-Stomatology students to apply their specialized knowledge in practice, hone skills, and develop essential professional competencies.

Lecturers, doctors, and students of the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology participating in the Green Summer campaign combined with Service-Learning in Xom Chieu Ward

Bringing oral care knowledge closer to children

Opening the program, Dr. MD. Bui Ngoc Huyen Trang and MSc. MD. Tran Duy Quan jointly led the oral health education communications, coordinating with the team of lecturers and students to guide schoolchildren through practical knowledge of daily oral hygiene, proper tooth brushing methods, and the formation of beneficial habits for oral health. Using typodont models, toothbrushes, and visual guidance formats, the children observed, practiced, and interacted directly with the professional team. Interactive questions, group activities, and hands-on practice on typodont models helped deliver oral care knowledge in an approachable, lively, and easily applicable way for daily life.

Oral health education communication activities and instructions on proper brushing techniques for primary school students

Students practicing tooth brushing on typodont models under the guidance of lecturers and Odonto-Stomatology students

Following the communications session, the program continued with screening examinations and oral health consultations. The process was arranged by functional stations including reception, plaque disclosing using TriPlaque, mouth rinsing, examination, photography, and consultation, enabling a seamless and systematic workflow. A highlight of the program was the plaque disclosing activity using TriPlaque. At this station, Resident Doctor, Specialist I Truong Thi Luc Phuong alongside assisting students helped the schoolchildren visually observe areas with accumulated plaque. Through this, the children could identify areas frequently missed during brushing and better understand the significance of proper oral hygiene.

Plaque disclosing activity using TriPlaque helping students visually recognize their oral hygiene status

During the screening examination and consultation phase, Dr. MD. Huynh Thi Thuy Trang and MSc. MD. Nguyen Thi Tuyet Trinh alongside the professional team participated in guiding plaque disclosing, recording oral health conditions, and providing appropriate care consultations for the students. Through this, the children not only visually observed the effectiveness of oral hygiene but also gained a clearer understanding of their own oral health status, thereby enhancing preventive awareness and maintaining regular dental check-up habits.

Service Learning – extending classroom lessons to the community

The highlight of the program was the integration of Green Summer volunteer activities with the Service Learning model (community service-integrated learning). In this model, students did not participate merely as volunteers, but directly applied specialized knowledge and skills to suitable tasks under the guidance and supervision of lecturers and doctors. Students were assigned to support health education communications, reception, plaque disclosing, mouth rinsing guidance, examination assistance, photography, and consultation.

Odonto-Stomatology students directly participating in professional activities under the guidance and supervision of lecturers and doctors

By directly interacting with children and participating in community healthcare procedures, students gained opportunities to hone communication skills, health education techniques, teamwork, and workflow organization. Practical experiences also helped learners gain a deeper understanding of the role of dental practitioners—not only in treatment but also in prevention, education, and community health promotion.

The activity in Xom Chieu Ward served as a continuation of the Service Learning training program implemented by the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology for students throughout the 2025–2026 academic year, progressively connecting the process of knowledge acquisition – practical application – reflection and feedback.

Connecting professional competence with community responsibility

In addition to educational significance, the program demonstrated the effective collaboration between an educational institution and local authorities in community healthcare activities. From preparation and publicity to setting up examination and consultation stations, the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology team coordinated with the Youth Union force of Xom Chieu Ward to ensure smooth implementation tailored to children and local needs.

Following the program, the Executive Committee of the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Xom Chieu Ward sent a letter of gratitude to the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology, recognizing the care, coordination, and support of the team of lecturers, doctors, and students in local Service Learning activities. This recognition serves as encouragement for the Faculty to continue maintaining and expanding professional activities linked with community service in the coming time.

The program also contributed to spreading the spirit of the “Skilled Mass Mobilization” model – “Healthy Smiles for Children”, thereby strengthening the connection between educational training, community service, and local collaboration in oral healthcare.

The collaboration between NTTU Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology and the Ho Chi Minh Communist Youth Union of Xom Chieu Ward contributed to a practical and effective community healthcare program

Far from being a standalone event, the program in Xom Chieu Ward initiated a series of professional volunteer activities led by the young teaching staff of the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology. By directly guiding students through practical community activities, lecturers transfer professional knowledge and skills while enabling learners to experience, practice, and gradually form the social responsibility of medical professionals.

From shared knowledge and tooth brushing practice on typodont models to examination and consultation activities, the program brought practical value to 200 primary school students. Through communications activities, the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology also aimed to spread the 2:2:2:2 oral care message to students and the wider community, helping foster simple yet sustainable preventive habits from school age.

The connection between Service Learning, professional volunteering, and the “Skilled Mass Mobilization” model opens up further avenues for collaboration between the Faculty, Youth Union – Student Association organizations, party committees, and local authorities in upcoming community service programs. Through this, expertise is not only conveyed in lecture halls but becomes a practical resource accompanying the community.

Smiles concluding a meaningful Odonto-Stomatology Service Learning day in Xom Chieu Ward, while opening a journey of professional volunteering for lecturers and students of the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology

Through Service Learning activities, the Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology at Nguyen Tat Thanh University continues to promote its orientation of connecting training with practice and expertise with social responsibility, ensuring that each student experience contributes to perfecting professional capabilities while creating positive, sustainable values for the community.

Dr. MD. Bui Ngoc Huyen Trang – Head of Department of Prosthodontics,
MSc. MD. Tran Duy Quan – Deputy Head of Department of Public Health Dentistry,
Faculty of Odonto-Stomatology