Background – The WHO has identified introducing oral health programmes in schools as one of the most effective ways of improving the oral health of a community. From 2006 - 2009 Dentaid ran a major school oral health programme in Uganda. This was based upon a holistic oral health model Dentaid has developed including on-site screening and dental treatment, oral health education and finally daily fluoride tooth brushing programmes.

The programme has provided a valuable testing ground for various techniques, education resources and products, which Dentaid and its partners have specially developed and designed to be appropriate to school environments in middle and low-income countries. Following the piloting, improvement and refinement of these different innovations and techniques, Dentaid will soon be in a leading position to advocate, resource and train other NGOs, governments and health organisations to implement school oral health programmes in middle and low-income countries, and where appropriate, for disadvantaged communities in high-income countries.

The Ugandan pilot programme was reviewed in June 2009 and the decision taken to halt its continuation. This was primarily connected with issues concerning its sustainability, with problems in recruiring Ugandan staff to fully take over the management and operation of the programme. The lessons learnt are continuing to be tested and refined as part of an expanded programme in Cameroon.

Area of activity/(Partner Organisations) – Worldwide, NGOs, governments and health organisations.

Strategic Partners & Consultants – FDI World Dental Federation   

Anticipated Outcomes

• An increase in the number and quality of school oral health programmes around the world.
• An improvement in access to advice, training and appropriate resources available to NGOs, governments and health organisation to implement effective school oral health programmes.   
  

View Ugandan schools programme

View Cameroon schools programme

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