On 17th August 2024, the Faculty of Dental Sciences, University of Sri Jayewardenepura hosted a training programme focused on “Tobacco and Areca nut Cessation.” This impactful event was organized in collaboration with the Sri Lanka Dental Association and was sponsored by the World Dental Federation.
The programme aimed to raise awareness among dental professionals and students about the detrimental effects of tobacco and areca nut use, particularly their association with oral cancers and other potentially malignant oral diseases. The event featured esteemed speakers, including Prof. Hemantha Amarasinghe (Professor in Community Dentistry and the head, Department of Community Dental Health, Faculty of Dental Sciences), Prof. Ruwan Jayasinghe (Professor in Oral Medicine and Periodontology), and Dr. Nilantha Rathnayake (Consultant in Community Dentistry). Their expert insights underscored the importance of cessation efforts in preventing oral health crises.
The programme’s impact will extend further with an upcoming community outreach initiative. In this second phase, dental students and academic staff from the Faculty of Dental Sciences will actively participate in screening for oral potentially malignant lesions and oral cancers, while also promoting tobacco and areca nut cessation within the wider community.
