March 28, 2024 – The Special Affairs Section, the Communications Division and the Faculty of Dentistry cooperated in organizing an activity to promote pleasant-to-live communities. Ajarn Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit, Assistant to the President for Special Affairs presided over the event. Asst. Prof. Ajiravudh Subarnbhesaj, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry explained about the importance of dental health care while Mr. Somkiat Jansom, Chairman of Si Than 1 Community and Mrs. Nittaya Khanponoi, Chairperson of Si Than 4 Community welcomed the attendants, among whom were chairman of the elderly club, chairman of the health volunteers of Si Than Communities, lecturers and students of the Faculty of Dentistry and a big number of the public. This event took place at Jomsri Khiri Sithan Temple, Khon Kaen.
There were over 100 people coming to receive dental health services including dental checking. They joined in the entertainment activities that gave them knowledge and brought home dental health care sets from the Royal Patronage Dental Care Unit under His Majesty King Rama IX. This project truly trained the people in the areas around the University to correctly take care of their dental health and thus reducing dental problems that can cause diseases in the future. Dental health is very important in terms of the people’s quality of life, but the treatment costs are very high. Therefore, the community visit today encouraged people to adopt accurate practices over their dental health in the long run, and will reduce the expenditure of the people in that respect. The end result would be the strength and sustainability of the community and the society.
Ajarn Natsamol Tanakulrungsarit, Assistant to the President for Special Affairs said, “This is a special occasion of the 60th anniversary of Khon Kaen University that has always been the neighbor of the communities. The University has developed in parallel with the communities in the vicinity. The Project that promotes the pleasant-to-live communities is meant to strengthen the communities by providing academic services. Khon Kaen University has carried out surveys to learn what communities need. There are different needs from one community to another. For example, Sam Liam Community wants to be trained on how to dispose of organic wastes, how to make composts for a pleasant place to live; Ban Non Muang Community wants to be trained to perform PCR; and Si Than Community wants to be taught on how to take care of their dental health. Khon Kaen University therefore joined with the Faculty of Dentistry to run the activities today. KKU still has other academic service projects for sustainable community development.”
Asst. Prof. Ajiravudh Subarnbhesaj, Ph.D., Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry talked about the importance of dental health care. “Good dental health is the way towards good physical health. Dental problems may affect the whole health system. Besides being the source that spreads pathogens to different organs, bad dental health may aggravate the symptoms of other diseases such as diabetes, coronary artery disease or stroke. As the first faculty of dentistry in the Northeast, we are carrying out projects that promote, prevent and provide dental health care to the community, such as the Good Health Brings Happiness Project that students have reached the communities in the Northeast to help the people for over 30 years, and the Royal Patronage Dental Care Unit under His Majesty King Rama IX. The service is special this year as it is the 60th anniversary of the University and also the 45th anniversary of the Faculty of Dentistry. People can also come to receive dental care service at the Dental Hospital, Khon Kaen University, too.”
Mr. Somkiat Jansom, Chairman of Si Than 1 Community said, “Si Than Community is a big and old community. At present there are many old people who might find it difficult to go to hospital to receive health care service. Therefore, we are very pleased and grateful to Khon Kaen University, doctors and the students of the Faculty of Dentistry who come to help us today.”
The “Pleasant-to-Live Communities” Project today is the provision of dental health care and dental examination for the community. There are entertainment activities that give knowledge and also products for dental care. This is part of the project to promote the relationship with the network around the University that responds to the University’s Social Contribution Strategy. This strategy strengthens the communities by building pleasant places to live. The objectives of the principle project are to build good relationships between Khon Kaen University and the communities, to cooperate with the networks in carrying out different projects and build sustainability according to the UN’s SDGs. Khon Kaen University schedules the next academic service activities at Siharat Dechochai School (CPR training) and Wat Nongwaeng Trachu (dogs and cats health care).
News: Watchara Noichompoo
Photos: Boriphat Thasi
