Bringing Smiles Back in Mokhada
- Erin Zaikis
- May 14
- 2 min read
At Sundara, we believe dignity begins with access to hygiene, education, and care. This month, we were honored to welcome U.S. based pediatric dentist Dr. Dilshad Sumar-Lakhani and her son Samir, founder of Eco Soap Bank, to the tribal villages of Mokhada.
In partnership with Gabriel Project Mumbai, Dr. Lakhani and the medical team provided emergency dental care to hundreds of villagers, many of them children who had never seen a dentist before. With deep compassion and decades of experience, Dr. Lakhani brought both healing and hope.
The core of her work centered on a simple but powerful procedure using Silver Diamine Fluoride (SDF). This pain-free, non-invasive treatment stops cavities from spreading and protects teeth from future decay. For children with limited or no access to dental care, SDF offers an opportunity to preserve their health and prevent long-term damage.
Assisted by our incredible local hygiene ambassadors, the team treated hundreds of children with SDF and fluoride varnish. They also taught students how to brush and care for their teeth properly, creating a foundation of knowledge that will last long after the treatment ends.
Dr. Lakhani also met with the Sub-District Health Officer and the Chief Medical Officer at Mokhada Rural Hospital to share how SDF could be used more widely throughout the region. Her efforts opened the door to more scalable, preventative dental care for rural communities.
In her own words:
“Being in these villages, examining the children's mouths, and preventing further carious lesions by applying SDF and fluoride varnish—it was a privilege. Your tireless work is transforming lives. I will never forget it.”
We won’t forget her either.
Samir, the founder of Eco-Soap Bank, brought his global hygiene expertise to the experience and supported the team throughout the visit.
To Dr. Lakhani, Samir, and the GPM team, thank you. You did more than treat pain. You brought comfort, dignity, and joy to children who now smile a little brighter.
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