Economic Growth Armenia Project #20273

Dental Care for 235 orphans in Armenia

by Society for Orphaned Armenian Relief (SOAR)

Summary

Families in Armenia struggle to provide basic necessities of food & dental health to children. Cavities are most prevalent, cause acute & chronic diseases. 90% of all 12-year-old children have cavities & only 20% of Armenian 18-year-olds still have all of their teeth. We need your help in the construction of dental suites at four orphanages: OLA Center, Orphanage of Fridtjof Nansen, Terchoonian Home & OLA Tashir to help 235 orphans. These dental suites will provide dental care for the children.

$80,000
total goal

$20,916
remaining

103
donors

1
monthly donor

7
years

Challenge

Cavities are the most prevalent chronic disease among children in Armenia. The impact of the disease is reflected throughout life, affects health, employment, and quality of life. Cavities require intervention by health personnel to correct the resulting problems. These resources can be expensive, are subject to limited availability, and carry a significant cost to health system. Almost 90% of all 12-year-old children have cavities & only 20% of 18-year-olds still have their natural teeth!

Solution

In 2013, SOAR constructed a dental suite at Kharberd Orphanage, a special needs children's orphanage.. Children in this orphanage are now getting regular screening & dental treatment by visiting dentists and dental health personnel. Establishing similar dental clinics in the 4 proposed orphanages which house disabled children with advanced disabilities, will provide dental health screening, treatment & prevention thus leading to a better overall health & prevention of other complications.

Long-Term Impact

The long term impact of dental health on the orphans is great. Children will have NO pain, discomfort, infection, gum disease & severe systemic complications.They will be able to retain their natural teeth & additional deterioration of their remaining teeth will be prevented. Not only 235 orphans (boys and girls) and some with severe physical disabilities who live in these 4 orphanages will benefit from dental clinics but also all future orphans who will be housed there will have dental care.