The Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dental College, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, has brought laurels to the institute by securing two national awards at the 46th National Conference of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry (ISPPD), held from November 20 to 22 in Bhubaneswar, Odisha.

The department won second prize in the ISPPD World Oral Health Day Celebration Contest 2025 and first prize in the ISPPD Nanhi Muskan Project 2025, an outreach initiative aimed at improving oral health among underprivileged children.

According to a statement from RIMS, the World Oral Health Day Celebrations featured a series of community-based programmes promoting oral hygiene awareness among children and families. The awards were received by Dr. Wairokpam Bhoomika Devi, Associate Professor and Head of the Department.

This marks the second consecutive year that the department has earned national recognition, following similar honours in 2024. RIMS noted that it has received three national honours in 2025, including the Best Consistent Performer Award from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.

RIMS authorities credited the achievements to the support of Director Prof. G. Sunil Kumar Sharma, Medical Superintendent Prof. N. Sanjib Singh, and Principal of the Dental College Prof. B. Praveen Reddy. The department also extended appreciation to its faculty members, nurses, students, staff, community health workers, school coordinators, government agencies, local partners, NGOs, and the participating children and families.

During the conference, ISPPD President Prof. Sudhindra Baliga acknowledged the significant contributions of paediatric dentists in the region and announced a new initiative for the coming year titled “NEST – Nurture, Educate, Serve, Treat,” aimed at improving paediatric dental care across the country.