In a bid to address the growing concern of oral health issues among children, the Sri Lankan government has introduced a comprehensive National Programme to Strengthen the School Dental Service. The initiative, outlined in Circular No. 16/2025, aims to provide essential dental care to students across government and government-approved private schools, Pirivena schools, and assisted special schools.
Addressing a Critical Health Issue
According to the 2015/2016 National Oral Health Survey, approximately 63% of children aged five in Sri Lanka suffer from early childhood caries, a condition that can lead to severe health complications such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer if left untreated. The new programme seeks to mitigate these risks by offering preventive and treatment services to students aged 3–18 years, ensuring minimal disruption to their education due to dental ailments.
Expanding Access to Dental Care
Under the programme, School Dental Therapists (SDTT) will operate from school dental clinics, providing services to:
- All students in schools with 200 or fewer pupils.
- Students in Grades 1, 4, and 7 in larger schools.
- Additional students as needed, aged 5–13 years.
Adolescent Dental Clinics will also be established in districts to cater to students up to 18 years old, with services extended to school staff.
Collaborative Responsibilities
The Ministry of Health will supply dental equipment, instruments, and personnel, while the Ministry of Education ensures schools maintain the necessary infrastructure, including electricity, water, and sanitation facilities. Principals are tasked with obtaining parental consent for treatments and facilitating access for students from neighboring schools.
Zonal and Provincial Directors of Education will oversee implementation, monitor progress, and address challenges, ensuring the programme reaches all schools. The Ministry of Education will coordinate policy development and funding, while maintaining a national database to track outcomes.
A Call for Cooperation
Nalaka Kahuwewe, Secretary of the Ministry, emphasized the importance of collaboration among all stakeholders to ensure the programme’s success. “Oral health is integral to overall well-being and academic performance. We urge principals, teachers, and parents to support this initiative for the benefit of our children,” he stated.
