New Delhi | June 10, 2026: In observance of World No Tobacco Day 2026, the Faculty of Dentistry at Jamia Millia Islamia (JMI) organized a specialized lecture and hands-on workshop titled “Clinical Competency Training in Tobacco Cessation.” The initiative aligns with this year’s global theme, “Unmasking the Appeal – Countering Nicotine and Tobacco Addiction,” which addresses the rising challenges of modern nicotine products and emphasizes the need for robust cessation support in healthcare.
Global Collaboration for Oral Health Equity
The program was spearheaded by JMI’s Department of Public Health Dentistry as part of the training and capacity-building initiative under Project CORE (Community-Focused Oral Health Research for Equity). Project CORE is a prestigious multi-country collaboration spanning Colombia, Kenya, Brazil, and India, and is supported by the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR), UK.
In tandem with the workshop, the department also ran a fortnight-long community outreach drive from May 15 to May 31, 2026. Partnering with various NGOs, the faculty conducted free dental check-up camps that screened and provided oral health consultations to over 200 beneficiaries.
Integrating Cessation into Routine Dental Care
The event commenced with a welcome address by Prof. Nadeem Yunus, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, JMI. Prof. Yunus stressed the critical responsibility healthcare professionals bear in tobacco control.
“Integrating tobacco cessation counseling into routine clinical practice is no longer optional—it is essential. Our students and faculty must actively drive the movement toward a tobacco-free society.” — Prof. Nadeem Yunus, Dean, Faculty of Dentistry, JMI
Insights from National Experts
The scientific sessions were led by top experts from the National Resource Centre for Oral Health and Tobacco Cessation (NRC OH TC), under the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare, Government of India:
- Prof. Vikrant Mohanty (Professor SAG, Head, and Principal Coordinator of NRC OH TC) delivered a keynote lecture on nicotine addiction dynamics and evidence-based interventions.
- Dr. Romshi Raina & Dr. Radhika Gupta (Project Scientists, NRC OH TC) led interactive sessions focusing on the clinical assessment of tobacco users, counseling strategies, documentation, and follow-up protocols.
A major highlight of the event was the hands-on training session, designed to give participants practical skills and confidence in patient counseling and real-world tobacco cessation management.
Program Impact and Leadership
The workshop concluded with a vote of thanks by Prof. Bushra Ahmed Karim. The highly practical orientation of the program was widely praised, directly benefiting 50 core participants who upgraded their clinical competencies.
The successful execution of the event was overseen by Convener Prof. Abhishek Mehta, alongside a coordinating team from the Public Health Dentistry department, including:
- Prof. Aditi Verma
- Prof. Bushra Ahmed Karim
- Dr. Nikhat Parveen
- Dr. Barsha Priya Deka
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