Advocacy :: School Oral Health Advocacy Programme
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. For the last two years, Dentaid has been running a major school oral health programme in Uganda. This has been 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. Dentaid staff also have extensive experience of implementing and running school oral health programmes in Nepal.
These different pilot programmes and their components have included 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.
Brief Description – To collate and present all available data on implementing school oral health programmes. To develop a portfolio and stock of necessary physical components and training courses and resources to equip NGOs, governments and health organisations to implement school oral health programmes. To widely advocate the implementation of such programmes and provide on-site training. To help secure funds for smaller NGOs to implement school oral health programmes for disadvantaged communities in middle and low-income countries.
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.