Cambodia has one of the highest rates of dental caries in the world with up to 90% of 6 year olds suffering plaque, tooth decay and dental pain.
During the Trustee Visit we met the little girl in the picture above.
She is about 7 years old, from Pailin Province and all her top [first] teeth are rotten.
WHY IS THIS?
- One survey estimates only about 44% of children own a personal toothbrush.
- Most rural homes and many schools still lack proper water, sanitation and hygiene – over 50% still use pond and pot water.
- Many families cannot afford regular check-ups with the very poorest also having to prioritise basic necessities over toothpaste and brushes.
- Emergency care is available but only 1% of children attending government schools receive any restorative treatment
- Preventive care is virtually non-existent and dental hygiene education is very variable.
- A diet rich in [cheap] processed food, sugary drinks and palm sugar as opposed to [expensive] fresh fruit and vegetables.
Many private schools [ie: run by Non-Government Organisations but often free at the point of service] do have in-school dental health programmes but government-run schools mostly do not.
Rohal Primary School in Banteay Meanchey Province is one government-run school which DOES run a dental health programme.
Head Teacher Mr Bun Sarak [above], backed unanimously by his staff, added a Dental Health Programme to the school’s curriculum several years ago and Support Cambodia have been funding it ever since.
Encouragement for this initiative has come from Dr Nhor Chamrom, Manager of the Pet Yiey Chee Health Centre in Battambang who herself attended Rohal Primary as a young girl. Support Cambodia are enormously grateful for her assistance in delivering this programme.
HOW ROHAL’S DENTAL HEALTH PROGRAMME WORKS
$600 [about £450] pays for toothbrushes and toothpaste for every one of the270 children in the school for 6 months. The toothbrushes are kept in school. If the children take them home, they run a high risk of being lost, used for something else or become very dirty in such a dusty climate.
Every day, teeth cleaning is scheduled on the timetable with the teachers distributing toothpaste and supervising their class cleaning their teeth at the handwash areas [also installed by Support Cambodia]. Dental hygiene is also taught.
THE BENEFITS
Mr Sarak told us there has been a significant improvement in oral health, children enjoy the programme and parents are very happy.
And local government officials are happy too: Rohal Primary is recognised by the government as a ‘flagship’ school for its forward-looking curriculum, excellent management, loyal and stable staff….and emphasis on health, including the dental programme.
During our afternoon at the school, a visiting local government officer [pictured below with Mr Sarak] expressed his sincere thanks for Support Cambodia’s help in establishing the programme and pledging to do what he can to help it continue.
What a pity our little friend from Pailin Province doesn’t have access to a similar programme…….
Thank you Rohal Primary, for being such a great partner. ” You always come back!”. Yes we do… because you have always valued whatever Support Cambodia have provided.
It’s always a pleasure to visit such a well-run school full of happy [and hopefully, healthy] children. Well done and thank you.
