The Diocesan mission in Bánica is a very remote, rural area of the Dominican Republic. Dental visits are a rarity. This changed recently last spring when the mission in Bánica was blessed with a generous donation from Hope for a Healthier Humanity. The grant was to be used to create a dental program for the community. This was a wonderful gift as the nearest dentist is over 40 minutes away and many families do not have access to a vehicle.
The program, consisted of two parts: a check-up by the dentist and then presentations by the dentist to the school children. For some this was the first time being seen by a dentist. Unfortunately, dental care is somewhat of a luxury in this remote area. A dentist is usually only seen when pain becomes too great or there is an emergency that usually ends in an extraction. These planned visits enable the community to establish a baseline and get a jump start on a plan of care.
The presentations were a combination of videos, show and tell, and activities. The children learned why sugar can be bad for your teeth but that brushing can wash the sugar away. Dental health bags containing a toothbrush, toothpaste and floss were given to the children at the end of the presentations. The program has been very well received by the children.
There have been three separate visits in order to create a progression of information. Also there were different hands-on activities. But each time the bags with toothbrushes, etc. are given out to replenish their supply.
The program has had a significant impact and now the children just need reinforcement every few months of the importance of brushing and flossing. The materials are all in place for the school to be able to incorporate these refreshers into their curriculum, enabling the dentists to spend more time on actual checkups and dental care.
Hope for a Healthier Humanity has granted additional funds to the mission so the program can continue. Hopefully as routine dental health practices become routine there will be bigger smiles on everyone’s face.