A pilot study has been carried out at A.B.Shetty memorial Institute of Dental Sciences since 1987 towards implementation of the concept of “Institutionalized Approach” – total Health care for Rural and semi – urban population at the doorstep, free of cost.

This study is conducted by:

1. Setting up Rural Satellite Centres (13 nos. in and around of 300 Kms from the Institute)
2. Oral and Dental awareness and treatment camps (weekly)
3. Awareness at the doorstep programme (house to house visits)
4. Awareness programme through street plays at Rural Centres (souks, markets and around Satellite Centres)
5. School Health programme. (Adopting Schools around Satellite Centres and Institution.)

Satellite centre:

A local Volunteer or an Organization has been identified, who has provided the immovable infrastructure (Satellite) for the project. The Volunteer was assigned with the responsibility for the administration and the management of the Centre, courtesy and social support to the faculty.

His duties involve registration of the patient free of cost, ensuring that minimal time taken before commencement of the treatment and also to prevent collection of any revenue unauthorisely by unscrupulous persons for the same.

He has to also extend the required courtesy to patients as well as supervise to maintain asepsis, sterilization and hospital waste management at the Centre.

All the patients are provided with immediate oral and dental care envisaging all specialized treatment.

Those patients who need specialized or advanced treatment are pooled together and are treated by the Post Graduates and the Faculty members.