The visits to the schools are always a highlight. The children are so attentive and so wanting to learn. They also remember much of the presentation from year to year as they are able to answer the presenters' questions on oral health. Over the last 9 years, we have noticed a discernable decrease in caries rate, but sadly, although we are not able to confirm the data, there appears to be an increase in the number of children with dental caries this year. Can it be attributed to the gap in field school visit in 2014? It is difficult to say but we know that increased awareness and motivation goes hand in hand. Important to note also that there is no water fluoridation in San Pancho. We make great effort in instilling the value of oral health to caregivers here so they may continue to pass it on when we leave.
Our method in screening for decay parallels what public dental hygienists do in BC, Canada. We used tongue depressors to examine the mouth and good light to determine obvious cases of enamel breakdown. We note only the number of children who exhibit these lesions and not the number of teeth, albeit in one classroom, Tika noted 92 teeth with carious lesions. Very disheartening but left us feeling even more determined to do what we have to do to change those numbers. Proper nutrition and home care is discussed and demonstrated. After each screening, students were given fluoride application.
Here are our statistics.
Kindergarten: 46 children - 25 exhibited carious lesions - 54%
Primaria School: 204 children - 136 exhibited carious lesions - 66%
What a meaningful way to wrap up the experience at the Primaria school. Posts like this highlight the impact that cultural exchange, community involvement, and education can have on both students and volunteers. It's clear that experiences like these create lasting memories while helping build connections that extend far beyond the classroom. Thank you for sharing the journey and the positive influence this program has had on everyone involved. Just as education helps build a strong foundation for the future, maintaining good oral health is important for lifelong well-being. Learn more about a trusted dentist in Sherwood Park dedicated to patient-focused care.
ReplyDeleteReflecting on meaningful milestones like finishing a final day at a primary school highlights the profound impact that dedicated education and supportive environments have on growing children. Helping the younger generation build confidence during these formative years sets them up for a incredibly bright and successful future. Whether you are maintaining your family's baseline oral health through Preventive Dental Services, upgrading your smile aesthetics with modern Cosmetic Dentistry, or correcting bite irregularities via advanced Orthodontic Services, specialized care supports long-term wellness. From creating a warm, anxiety-free experience for your little ones at a friendly Children’s Dental Clinic to navigating complex healthcare needs like precise Dental Surgery Services or targeted TMJ Treatment, trusting experienced clinical experts guarantees a lifetime of healthy, confident smiles.
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ReplyDeleteTaking care of specialized health needs is equally vital to overall wellness. Dealing with persistent headaches or jaw alignment issues often points to stress in the temporomandibular joint (tmj), which requires targeted care. When serious infections arise, seeking out the best root canal treatment in sherwood park is the most effective way to eliminate nerve pain and save a tooth. If a tooth is ultimately unsavable, relying on specialized dental surgery services in sherwood park ensures safe extractions, while permanent dental implants in sherwood park provide a flawless replacement.
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This is a beautiful and heartwarming recap of the final day at the Primaria school, perfectly capturing the deep connections, mutual learning, and long-lasting impact that community outreach programs leave behind. Giving back and supporting structural well-being within a community is incredibly rewarding, a principle that drives our own dedication to long-term care and structural restorations: saving compromised natural structures with the best root canal treatment in sherwood park, rebuilding complete smiles using permanent dental implants in sherwood park, and ensuring stable, pain-free joint alignment for the temporomandibular joint tmj. It is truly wonderful to see such meaningful cross-cultural engagement and dedication to lifting up communities!
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