Dear members

It is with great honour and privilege that I extend my warmest greetings to all members of the College of Community Dentistry of Sri Lanka (CCDSL). As we embark on this council’s term to uplift oral health in our nation, it is important to reflect upon the evolving landscape of dental public health and its vital implications for practice, research, and teaching.

Dental public health, as a specialized discipline, transcends the traditional boundaries of clinical care. It is a field dedicated to preventing oral diseases, promoting oral health, and improving the quality of life of populations through organized community efforts. In the context of Sri Lanka, where people from different income and social groups have unequal access to good oral health, the work of dental public health professionals is more important than ever.

For clinical practice, it means integrating prevention-oriented, evidence-based, and culturally sensitive approaches into both individual care and community programs. Oral health is inherently linked to general health and well-being, especially in addressing non-communicable diseases, maternal and child health, and geriatric care. Our members must be empowered to lead oral health promotion initiatives, advocate for policy development, and engage in multi-sectoral collaboration for comprehensive care delivery.

In research, dental public health provides a platform to explore the social, behavioral, and environmental determinants of oral diseases. High-quality, context-specific research is essential to inform policy, guide resource allocation, and develop community-based interventions. Emerging challenges such as the oral health impacts of aging, the rise in non-communicable diseases, and the effects of environmental and occupational hazards demand an active research agenda. Our College encourages and supports young researchers and experienced professionals alike to contribute to a growing body of knowledge that serves our communities.

In teaching, it is imperative that we cultivate a generation of dental professionals who are not only clinically competent but also socially responsible and public health-oriented. Dental curricula must be designed to instill a deep understanding of public health principles, preventive dentistry, epidemiology, and health promotion strategies. Our responsibility as public health educators is to inspire all dental practitioners in the country to see beyond the dental chair and understand the broader health system within which oral health care is delivered.

As the President of CCDSL, I am committed to fostering a vibrant community of practice, research, and teaching excellence. I invite all our members to actively engage with the College’s initiatives and contribute to building a healthier, more equitable society.

Dr Nirosha Ranasinghe
President
Council 2025/2026
College of Community Dentistry of Sri Lanka (CCDSL