The Department of Paediatric and Preventive Dentistry, Dental College, Regional Institute of Medical Sciences (RIMS), Imphal, has reportedly brought recognition to the institute with two national awards at the 46th National Conference of the Indian Society of Pedodontics and Preventive Dentistry (ISPPD) held from 20 to 22 November 2025 at Bhubaneswar, Odisha.
The department has won the second prize in the ISPPD World Oral Health Day Celebration Contest 2025 and first prize in the ISPPD Nanhi Muskan Project 2025-an outreach programme aimed at promoting oral health among underprivileged children. According to the statement, the World Oral Health Day Celebration included a series of community-based programmes for oral hygiene awareness among children and families. The awards were reportedly received by Associate Professor and Head of Department Dr. Wairokpam Bhoomika Devi. The institute added that this was the second consecutive year the department had earned national-level recognition, after similar honours won in 2024. RIMS has received three national honours this year, it mentioned, including the Best Consistent Performer Award from the Ministry of Health and Family Welfare.
Authorities of RIMS attributed the achievements to the continued 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 conveyed appreciation to its faculty members, nurses, students and staff along with community health workers, school coordinators, government agencies, local partners and NGOs for their roles in the success of the outreach programmes. It also expressed gratitude to the children and families whose participation made the initiatives meaningful.
During the conference, it is reported that the President, ISPPD, Prof Sudhindra Baliga acknowledged and urged the due recognition of the immense contributions of paediatric dentists in the region. He declared a new initiative for the forthcoming year, “NEST – Nurture Educate Serve Treat,” directed to improve paediatric dental care all over the country. He stressed how important the paediatric dentists are in serving communities.