Where We Work :: Infant Oral Mutilation - Dentaid's Future Plans

 

Dentaid Infant Oral Mutilation (IOM) Action Group

Background

The Dentaid IOM Action Group was formed in 2008 since when many of the original actions have been completed. In July 2010 it was agreed to update the strategy to take the actions to the next level.

Achievements

The IOM Action Group has demonstrated that IOM exists and is happening now.  It has discovered there are non-dental as well as dental personnel living in the countries where it happens who are sufficiently concerned about it to become active in a major way.   The IOM Action Group has created a regularly updated overview document, provided a full Literature Analysis and produced resources which are available on the Dentaid website.  Awareness of IOM has been raised inside and outside the dental profession, in the UK and overseas, and surveys undertaken ‘in the field’ by collaborators.   

Vision

Dentaid aims to be the key advocate for action against IOM and to co-ordinate activity as it progresses with the objective of seeing an end to this practice.  In addition to finance and resources, clear support guidelines including supervision, advice, mentoring, and networking are required.  Formal processes and procedures need to be put in place to ensure consistency, accountability and reporting/recording.  

Revised strategy  

This will be through three strands:  research, raising awareness and action in the field.  

1.     RESEARCH

a)     To build on the literature analysis by identifying and recording any new research  as it becomes available, both in published and unpublished articles together with anecdotal evidence.  

b)    To identify the emerging themes that require further investigation.  

c)    Identify a PhD research partner and publish results in an international peer reviewed journal.  

d)    To encourage dental students to research and report on one of the emerging themes for their elective study.

2.      RAISE AWARENESS  

a)     Where?    UK, worldwide, and countries where it occurs.   

b)     With whom?  Charities/organisations/governments, local communities, dental/non-dental, health/non-health.     

a)     How?       

1) By writing articles, giving presentations, and building networks of concerned   people to identify, influence, motivate and empower key individuals.

2) By maintaining web-based resources, with the objective of seeing an end to this practice.

3.      ACTION – This is the field-work or ‘action research’ that takes place in the countries where IOM occurs.   It links the research to raising awareness in the field, through collaboration, education, resources, and campaigns, with the objective of seeing an end to this practice.