Reaching the Unreached
Transforming Lives Through
Oral Health Literacy
Our mouths are the door to our bodies and good oral health is an essential human right—not a privilege.
SmileAge India, the Oral Health Literacy Division of the International Health Literacy Association, is on a mission to empower communities to make informed decisions and unite science with compassion and clinical insight with systemic reform—because every person, especially every elder, deserves the right to age with a healthy smile. We welcome partnerships and collaborations across all sectors to advance this mission and create lasting change.
Our Vision
To create an India where every older adult—regardless of income, location, or ability—has the knowledge, tools, and access to maintain a healthy mouth and a dignified life. We envision a future where oral health is fully integrated into geriatric care, health systems recognize its vital role in ageing well, and no one is left behind due to poor oral health literacy. A nation where every elder can smile, speak, eat, and swallow—without pain, shame, or silence.
At SmileAge India, we believe that oral health is central to human dignity, communication, nutrition, and overall well-being. Yet millions—especially elders in old age homes, children in rural schools, and individuals with limited access to care—suffer silently from preventable oral health issues due to lack of awareness, education, and services. We are here to change that.
Dr. Shalya Anand
linkedin.com/in/anandshalyag.page/adashalya
Oralhealth is often overlooked in conversations about healthy ageing—yet it is foundational to dignity, nutrition, communication, and quality of life. When older adults struggle to eat, speak, or smile due to tooth loss, pain, or oral infections, it isn’t just a dental issue—it’s a public health failure with far-reaching consequences.
Conditions like tooth decay, dry mouth, and gum disease are exacerbated by age-related frailty, chronic illness, and multiple medications. Left unaddressed, they drive malnutrition, social isolation, and even systemic diseases—silently eroding the well-being of our elders.
SmileAge India is my response to this silent crisis. It is a people-powered, tech-enabled, and ecologically conscious mission to make oral health literacy central to healthy ageing in India. Whether through AI screening tools, sustainable oral hygiene kits, grassroots training, or policy advocacy—we are committed to creating inclusive, sustainable change.
I invite you to join hands with us—health professionals, educators, students, policymakers, corporates, and citizens—to rewrite the oral health story of our nation. Together, let’s build a future where every smile is seen, heard, and cared for.
Knowledge Partners
Expert public health professional and dental public health consultant with extensive experience in global health research, project coordination, and communication leadership. Currently teaching global health and serving as Equal Opportunity Officer at the Dept of Epidemiology, while supporting EU-funded research at both the Global Health and Sustainable Health units.
A public health specialist and dental researcher with global experience across health systems. His work spans tobacco control, oral health inequalities, and school nutrition. He leads dental public health at QMUL, contributes to global policy initiatives, and mentors emerging researchers through NHS England and international collaborations.
Professor of Gerodontology at the University of Groningen, is a leading expert in special care dentistry. With decades of clinical, academic, and research experience, she pioneers gerodontology education, interdisciplinary care, and innovation in implantology, elderly oral health, and anxiety counselling.
Clinical academic and dentist focused on urgent dental care and antimicrobial resistance. She leads global research and education initiatives, including projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and FDI’s award-winning stewardship programme. Her work integrates co-development, advocacy, and clinical practice to reduce antibiotic overuse and prevent infections.
Ghada Ibrahim is President of PACRT-Geneva and a leading voice in patient advocacy for cancer research and care. Based in Switzerland, she champions patient-centric innovation, co-leads PPI projects at IUFRS/CHUV/UNIL, and serves on advisory boards including EUPATI-Switzerland and Inspire2Live, promoting meaningful patient involvement in research, policy, and clinical trials.
Global leader in Dental Public Health. Her work spans oral health equity, education, sustainability, and digital innovation. With 200+ publications, she serves on key editorial boards and collaborates with international research and policy networks.
Expert public health professional and dental public health consultant with extensive experience in global health research, project coordination, and communication leadership. Currently teaching global health and serving as Equal Opportunity Officer at the Dept of Epidemiology, while supporting EU-funded research at both the Global Health and Sustainable Health units.
A public health specialist and dental researcher with global experience across health systems. His work spans tobacco control, oral health inequalities, and school nutrition. He leads dental public health at QMUL, contributes to global policy initiatives, and mentors emerging researchers through NHS England and international collaborations.
Professor of Gerodontology at the University of Groningen, is a leading expert in special care dentistry. With decades of clinical, academic, and research experience, she pioneers gerodontology education, interdisciplinary care, and innovation in implantology, elderly oral health, and anxiety counselling.
Clinical academic and dentist focused on urgent dental care and antimicrobial resistance. She leads global research and education initiatives, including projects in Sub-Saharan Africa and FDI’s award-winning stewardship programme. Her work integrates co-development, advocacy, and clinical practice to reduce antibiotic overuse and prevent infections.
Ghada Ibrahim is President of PACRT-Geneva and a leading voice in patient advocacy for cancer research and care. Based in Switzerland, she champions patient-centric innovation, co-leads PPI projects at IUFRS/CHUV/UNIL, and serves on advisory boards including EUPATI-Switzerland and Inspire2Live, promoting meaningful patient involvement in research, policy, and clinical trials.
Global leader in Dental Public Health. Her work spans oral health equity, education, sustainability, and digital innovation. With 200+ publications, she serves on key editorial boards and collaborates with international research and policy networks.
Our Work
Together, we are reimagining oral health—from a clinical afterthought to a national movement for prevention and timely care.
Become a part of our projects and help us spread smiles :)
Digital Literacy & Awareness Campaigns
Developing and deploying culturally sensitive, multilingual oral health literacy content across various platforms to make learning simple, inclusive, and actionable.
Literacy drives in schools, elderly care centers, and rural communities
Digital content tailored for low-literacy and non-literate audiences
Campaigns on oral-systemic links (diabetes, cardiovascular, aging)
ECOMUSKAAN: Eco-Friendly Oral Hygiene Access
Promoting eco-conscious oral hygiene by distributing sustainable toothbrushes through partnerships to address both health and environmental inequities.
10,000+ biodegradable brushes distributed
Plastic reduction aligned with Swachh Bharat Mission
Combines hygiene with health literacy in every kit
Geriatric Oral Health: Partnership with HAI
Collaborating with Healthy Ageing India to integrate oral health services for the elderly in Delhi-NCR, providing on-site care and education.
Mobile van clinics with digital screening and on-the-spot care
Training for caregivers, ASHA workers, and oral health ambassadors
Data collection for future research and AI development
Policy Advocacy & National Integration
Working to embed oral health literacy into national programs and policies through research, collaboration, and advocacy.
Advocacy for a Statutory Oral Health Literacy Body under MoHFW
Collaboration with public and private stakeholders for scale-up
Research-based briefs to influence system-wide change
Together, we are reimagining oral health—from a clinical afterthought to a national movement. Join us in bringing smiles to the forefront of Indias public health journey.
Featured Publications
2025 — Epstein & Anand S.
Patient-reported evaluation of oral/dental health in oncology care—a need and opportunity to support medically necessary oral care needs
Explores patient-reported oral health experiences in oncology, promoting medically necessary oral care integration.
2024 — Anand S. et al
Necessity and influencing factors for integrating oral health in cancer care for older people: a narrative review
Identifies critical factors and evidence supporting integration of oral health in geriatric cancer care frameworks.
2025 — Kakuhiro Fukai et al
Making the Right to Oral Health a Reality for Older Adults
Advocates for a rights-based approach to oral healthcare for older populations through global public health strategies.
2024 — Anand S.
Advancing Materiovigilance in Dentistry: A Crucial Step for Patient Safety in India
Highlights the importance of materiovigilance for dental safety in India and the need for systemic implementation.
BE ONE OF US
We wouldd love to hear from you!
Write to us at:
smileageindia1@gmail.com