Virudhunagar, April 17 -- An innovative initiative by the Virudhunagar district administration in Tamil Nadu is beginning to show positive results, bringing smiles to the faces of schoolchildren by helping correct dental deformities and boosting their confidence.

The initiative, launched in early 2024, was inspired by a moment of compassion when District Collector of Virudhunagar VP Jeyaseelan noticed a young girl trying to hide her buck teeth during a school inspection.

"Such students are often hesitant not just to smile but even to speak. Teased by peers for their appearance, many of them lose self-confidence at a very young age," Jeyaseelan recalled.

Despite the treatment, often classified as cosmetic and not covered under any gover...