"Smiling Teeth, Smiling Child"
"Providing quality dental care to the institutionalized and otherwise underprivileged children is at the heart of SOAR’s dental campaign."
SOAR Dental Activities of Gyumri Have Achieved a Wider Reach to Help Disadvantaged Kids in Children Care Facilities and Villages.
Submitted by Kohar Mardirossian Pelter and George Yacoubian Jr. -Project leaders
In the grip of destitution, live many children and families in Gyumri and across Armenia. Struggling to find food, water, and medicine, oral hygiene is nonexistent for them.
Such stories are the norm of the population. Many Armenians live in makeshift homes and “domiks,” metal houses. In the outskirts of Gyumri, living conditions are even harsher, with no running water, any electricity, and dental health care. Recognizing these conditions are so prevalent, SOAR built a Dental Clinic in Gyumri (Spitak region), Kharberd orphanage (near Yerevan), and at the Our Lady of Armenia (OLA) summer camp of Tsaghgadzor to provide free dental care to all of its community members.
Since SOAR founded a Dental Clinic in Gyumri in 2015, it has been able to reach hundreds of the children and families from the city and its surrounding villages. These children and adults lack any dental care and suffer tremendously from poor health. Thanks to Global Giving Campaigns and its kind supporters, that dream came true in March of 2016. Providing quality dental care to the institutionalized and otherwise underprivileged children is at the heart of SOAR’s dental campaign. At the SOAR dental clinic in Gyumri, hundreds of children and poor families receive free care by licensed dentists, interns, and hygienists.
The dental clinic has been providing consultations, fillings, removal of tarter, treatment of cavities through the infiltration method, as well as the removal and treatment with orthodontics. Dentists offer children the chance to have all the dental treatment they need including: cleanings, x-rays and filling (for cavities), provision of vitamins and supplements necessary for gum and enamel health. Malnourishment, poor social conditions, genetic factors affecting child development and stress can cause issues with the development of teeth and bone, all of which is prevalent in this region. Each child may have multiple dental and periodontal issues and diseases.
On February of 2018, SOAR dental care clinic team launched an organized campaign of visits to the Children Care Facilities in the region. The main goal is educate the disadvantaged kids about the basic proper care of their teeth. They aim to raise awareness of teeth and gum health including: causes, protection and prevention of decay. Also to emphasize the importance of daily tooth hygiene, diet, regular dental care and checkups.
The first facility that SOAR Dental Clinic team visited was Nansen boarding school in Gyumri. After proper presentation by dental hygienist about the topic the doctor examined 56 children. During the exam, the teeth were cleaned, flossed, and checked for cavities. Of the total number of children examined, 17 children were identified who needed further treatment and vitamins, 20 children needed pull out, 9 children needed dental cleaning and 10 kids needed fluoride treatment. After visit the corresponding information was sent to the director of the facility and kids were scheduled for visits. Upon the completion of the exams, each child received a dental care package which included toothbrushes and dental hygiene items.
SOAR Dental Care team are planning to make this program ongoing for the other facilities in the city and involve rural village schools where the conditions are much more complicated...
Their visit to Nansen Care facility was one big step towards an effective and positive impact that SOAR dental care campaign is making through its dedicated professionals and volunteers.
Your support has made it possible for Armenia’s orphans and elderly to receive regular, oral health screenings and treatment by qualified dental health professionals. Your support realized the dental care in Gyumri, Kharberd, Tsaghgadzor, and remote regions of Armenia! Make 2018 a year of giving! Give what you can to relieve pain and suffering and to foster a smile on the faces of the less fortunate. In the footsteps of inspiring acts of advocacy and giving, let's make our lives meaningful by making a greater impact on the lives of others.
Your tax-deductible donations are accepted through the Global Giving Dental Care Campaign for Orphans (https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/dental-care-clinics-for-orphans-in-armenia). No amount is too small. Imagine what your continued support can bring to the poorest populations in Armenia!
We are grateful for generous donors like you. Together, we are making a difference!
Dental Professionals from Fresno and Armenia Volunteer at SOAR Dental Care Clinics and Provide Much Needed Support and Services.
Providing quality dental care to the institutionalized and otherwise underprivileged children is at the heart of SOAR’s dental campaign!
Submitted by Kohar Mardirossian Pelter and George Yacoubian Jr. -Project leaders
In a recent speech, super star and human rights advocate, Angelina Jolie said: “Nothing would mean anything if I didn't have a life of use to others.”
Arpine Petrosyan was diagnosed with cerebral palsy at birth. She cannot speak or communicate. She is one of the 4 children to a single mother, Narine, who struggles to take care of Arpine and her other children. They live in a village in Armenia, in severely poor conditions, where dental services are non-existent. With poor dental health, Arpine, like many children throughout Armenia, is at a very high risk of extensive health problems, malnutrition, infections, and a wide spectrum of debilitating illnesses. Arpine and her siblings are young and full of hope. However, the dim reality of their lives awakens them to pain, suffering, and extreme poverty. Under the grip of destitution live many children and families in Gyumri and across Armenia. Struggling to find food, water, and medicine, oral hygiene is nonexistent for them.
Such stories form the norm of the population. Many Armenians live in makeshift homes and “domiks,” metal houses. In the outskirts of Gyumri, Arpine lives a very harsh life, with no running water, no electricity, and dental health care.
Recognizing these conditions are so prevalent, SOAR built a Dental Clinic in Gyumri (Spitak region), Kharberd orphanage (near Yerevan), and at the Our Lady of Armenia (OLA) summer camp (in Tsaghgadzor) to provide free dental care to all of its community members. Thanks to Global Giving Campaigns and its kind supporters, that dream came true in March of 2016. Providing quality dental care to the institutionalized and otherwise underprivileged children is at the heart of SOAR’s dental campaign. At the SOAR dental clinic in Gyumri, hundreds of patients receive free care by licensed dentists, interns, and hygienists.
In October 2017, SOAR-Fresno cooperated with two dentists who travelled to Armenia to provide dental care at the SOAR-supported clinics. More than 150 children with special needs in “Children’s Home of Gyumri” and “Emil Aregak” were assisted by Ronald Sani, D.D.S. , Liza Mkrtchyan and Arman Gevorgyan, students of Yerevan State Medical University Dental Department volunteered to assist the dentists while at the same time gaining added training in dental care.
Arpine and her family were ecstatic about the care! Their mother, Narine, was very thankful for this unique opportunity. This is “handful kindness” to my kids provided by SOAR.
Throughout the summer, more than 820 children received dental services at the Tsaghgadzor camp.
Another dentist, Dr. Vache Vasilyan, visited Kharberd Orphanage where SOAR has previously constructed a dental suite and examined children with disabilities. More than 44 kids in Kharberd residential care facility received corresponding cavity and teeth treatment.
In addition to providing services, the volunteers raised funds and brought dental instruments with them to the SOAR Dental Clinic in Gyumri and Kharberd Dental Suite.
In the footsteps of inspiring acts of advocacy and giving, like Angelina Jolie, let's make our lives meaningful by making a greater impact on the lives of others. We are grateful for generous donors like you. Together, we are making a difference!
Your support has made it possible for Armenia’s orphans and elderly to receive regular, oral health screenings and treatment by qualified dental health professionals. Your support realized the dental care in Gyumri, Kharberd, Tsaghgadzor, and remote regions of Armenia! During this Holiday Season, give what you can to relieve pain and suffering and to foster a smile on the faces of the less fortunate.
Your tax-deductible donations are accepted through the Global Giving Dental Care Campaign for Orphans (https://www.globalgiving.org/projects/dental-care-clinics-for-orphans-in-armenia). No amount is too small. Imagine what your continued support can bring to the poorest populations in Armenia!
Thank you!
September 8, 2017
SOAR Dental Care Program Has Extended Its Support and Services to Tsaghgadzor and Tashir children!
Submitted by Kohar Mardirossian Pelter and George Yacoubian Jr. -Project leaders
Since SOAR founded a Dental Clinic in Gyumri in 2015, it has been able to reach to hundreds of the children and families from the city and its surrounding villages. These children and adults lack any dental care and suffer tremendously from poor health. The dental clinic has been providing consultations, fillings, removal of tarter, treatment of cavities through the infiltration method, as well as the removal and treatment with orthodontics. Dentists offer children the chance to have all the dental treatment they need – including cleanings, x-rays and filling (for cavities). Provision of vitamins and supplements necessary for gum and enamel health.
Malnourishment, poor social conditions, genetic factors affecting child development and stress can cause issues with the development of teeth and bone, all of which is prevalent in this region. Each child may have multiple dental and periodontal issues and diseases.
In 2016, “SOAR Dental Care Program" was extended to the Our Lady of Armenia summer camp in the Tsaghgadzor mountains where each year from July till end of September over 815 children are gathered from the poorest villages and regions of Armenia, the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh (Artsakh) and Southern Georgia (Javakh) to receive adequate nutrition, hygiene, medicine and medical exams (including vaccinations), summer recreational activities, rest and especially dental care. This summer, 95 children from the Tashir region which is one of the poorest regions in Armenia, were also brought to Tsaghgadzor to receive SOAR dental care. Dental services has been offered by the caring and professional work of volunteer dentists from Paris-UMAF (France) and SOAR (USA). These special volunteers worked tirelessly to treat some 300 children.
In addition, we expect 2 more dentists who in collaboration with the Fresno Medical Mission are expected to volunteer at the SOAR dental clinic. Also, one dental student who is doing internship in dentistry will help kids with educating them on oral hygiene and by providing toothbrushes, toothpastes and oral hygiene supplies for the kids in the camp.
This makes the role of "SOAR Dental Care Program" in Tsaghgadzor, Tashir and Gyumri very crucial for the most disadvantaged children and families in these communities! They get 100% qualified dental service absolutely free of charge! Naturally, the need for such service is growing in the country's poor regions.
Taking into consideration that State-supported dental service is no longer free of charge for kids, the role of SOAR dental clinic in the community is of the utmost importance in providing primary care and in keeping the children’s teeth healthy. It is also essential in the prevention and/ or treatment of early onset tooth decay, tooth loss, and subsequent gum and oral diseases. WE NEED YOUR HELP! You can help make a difference and change the course of this endemic crisis! The funds will be used to obtain HQ teeth files, working equipment, teeth filling materials, disinfection solvents, root canals plumbing materials, fluorine-containing materials for regular care, prophylactic materials, and other administrative expenses (for example utility costs, as winters are very cold in that district and the clinic needs proper heating).
No amount is too little to make a contribution to the project!!! We appreciate and welcome your support in any amount you are able to contribute. We are working towards the full operation of the clinic as well as the opening of a new clinic. We are grateful for your continued support to alleviate the pain, suffering, and poor dental health of these children. Thank you all for providing this unparalleled gift for the orphaned children and Armenia’s destitute. Please donate through Global Giving’s Dental Care for Orphans! Thank you!
June, 2017
A SECOND SOAR DENTAL CLINIC HAS BEEN ESTABLISHED IN TSAGHGADZOR AND IS IN FULL OPERATION. SOAR ASSUMES ALL ESSENTIAL CARE FOR THE DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN, THE ENTIRE GYUMRI COMMUNITY AND THE 815 TSAGHGADZOR SUMMER CAMP CHILDREN!
Submitted by Kohar Mardirossian Pelter and George S. Yacoubian, Jr.
"SOAR Dental Clinic" in Gyumri which has operated free of charge for all of the disadvantaged children in the city and the neighboring regions of Spitak, since 2016 November, continues its essential presence and provides comprehensive dental care for the children and the entire community of the region.
The primary beneficiaries of the clinic continue to be the disadvantaged children from child care and protection institutions of the Gyumri, including : Our Lady Of Armenia Convent, Children Home of Gyumri, Nansen Boarding school, Thrchoonian Home, Gyumri Social Childcare Center, and Boarding School N 1. SOAR Clinic is open also for the other vulnerable children who come from poor and needy families of the community. During the reporting period from March 2017 to May 2017, 104 beneficiaries from Child Care Institutions (Orphanages, Day Care Center, boarding facilities) and children from needy families who are on government’s “Paros” or poverty list were provided with dental care in SOAR Dental clinic at no cost. Almost all children have visited twice for service. 25 children have been provided with Vitamins and Ca. Examples of families and children being in such desperation and poverty. Arpine has a large family. She has 5 minor children who lack health care and dental care. She is unemployed, takes care of the children and her husband has a seasonal job. One of her sons Arsen has health issues, suffers from renal insuffiencySusanna and Shushan are at the 2rd grade. They are beneficiaries of Gyumri Child Care Center. The youngest child, Alex is 1year and 9 months old. Arpine’s children are receiving permanent service from SOAR Dental clinic and they are very happy and grateful for a very kinds and qualified attitude of the doctor and nurse. Arpine talking about her children said “We cannot afford taking our children to private dental care and it is unbelievable for us to have such a good and qualified service by SOAR where my kids can come and have dental service free of charge”.
Malnourishment, poor social conditions, genetic factors affecting child development and stress can cause issues with the development of teeth and bone, all of which is prevalent in this region. Each child may have multiple dental and periodontal issues and diseases.
The dental clinic is providing consultations, fillings, removal of tarter, treatment of cavitiesthrough the infiltration method, as well as the removal and treatment with orthodontics. Dentists offer children the chance to have all the dental treatment they need – including cleanings, x-rays and filling (for cavities). Provision of vitamins and supplements necessary for gum and enamel health.
Taking into consideration that State-supported dental service is no longer free of charge for kids, the role of SOAR dental clinic in the community is of the utmost importance in providing primary care and in keeping the children’s teeth healthy. It is also essential in the prevention and/ or treatment of early onset tooth decay, tooth loss, and subsequent gum and oral diseases.
During summer months (July –August) 2 dentists will be coming to Armenia within SOAR Volunteering program for volunteering in dental suite of summer camp located in Tsaghkadzor. One student who is doing internship in dentistry will help kids with trainings on oral hygiene. She will be bringing toothbrushes, toothpastes and oral hygiene supplies for the kids in the camp.
“SOAR Dental Care Program" continues to provide dental check up and care at Tsaghgadzor summer camp run by the Armenian Sisters of the Immaculate Conception. Each year, from June till September, hundreds of (last year was over 815) orphans, are brought to the camp. These are needy, at-risk, war-affected children from disadvantaged families from remote villages of Armenia, the Republic of Nagorno-Karabakh and Javakhk (Southern Georgia), who are there to receive adequate nutrition, hygiene, medicine and medical exams (including vaccinations), summer recreational activities, rest and especially dental care. Due to cooperation with Fresno Medical Mission in October 2017 we are expecting 2 dentists from USA who will come to volunteer in SOAR Dental clinic in Gyumri for full time and travelling to the other facilities for kids’ check- ups.
With no safety net for the children of Gyumri and Tsaghagdzor from the state and with limited number of dental clinics which unfortunately provide substandard care and are rarely available, there is no hope for the health of the young disadvantaged. . This makes the role of "SOAR Dental Care Program" in Gyumri essential for the most disadvantaged children and families in the community! They get 100% qualified dental service absolutely free of charge! Naturally, the need for such service is growing in the community.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! You can help make a difference and change the course of this endemic crisis. We need to fund the operational cost, supplies, and salaries of the dentists and technicians who will work in Gyumri's dental clinic.
The funds will be used to obtain HQ teeth files, working equipment, teeth filling materials, disinfection solvents, root canals plumbing materials , fluorine-containing materials for regular care, prophylactic materials, and other administrative expenses (for example utility costs, as winters are very cold in that district and the clinic needs proper heating). No amount is too little to make a contribution to the project!!! We appreciate and welcome your support in any amount you are able to contribute. We are working towards the full operation of the clinic as well as the opening of a new clinic.
We are grateful for your continued support to alleviate the pain, suffering, and poor dental health of these children. Thank you all for providing this unparalleled gift for the orphaned children and Armenia’s destitute. Please donate through GlobalGiving’s Dental Care for Orphans campaign.
Thank you!
March 15, 2017
FREE DENTAL CARE FOR CHILDREN IS NO LONGER AVAILABLE IN ARMENIA. This public health crisis - which is prevalent in the remote parts of Armenia - needs to be addressed, supported, and treated as it affects the most vulnerable of Armenia's society - it's children.
SOAR DENTAL CLINIC IN GYUMRI ASSUMES ALL ESSENTIAL CARE FOR THE DISADVANTAGED CHILDREN, THE ENTIRE GYUMRI COMMUNITY AND THE 815 TSAGHGADZOR SUMMER CAMP CHILDREN!
Submitted by Kohar Mardirossian Pelter and George S. Yacoubian, Jr.
"SOAR Dental Clinic" in Gyumri has operated free of charge for all of the disadvantaged children in the city and the neighboring regions of Spitak, since 2016 November. Now it has an added responsibility in assuming all essential care for dental health of the region. This comes at the heel of the state ceasing to provide any state- supported dental. State provided dental care has historically been of poor quality, as well as lacking in ability to perform complex dental care, patient education, and preventative measures.
The primary beneficiaries of the clinic continues to be the disadvantaged children from child care and protection institutions of the Gyumri, including : Our Lady Of Armenia Convent, Children Home of Gyumri, Nansen Boarding school, Thrchoonian Home, Gyumri Social Childcare Center, and Boarding School N 1. SOAR Clinic is open also for the other vulnerable children who come from poor and needy families of the community.
Malnourishment, poor social conditions, genetic factors affecting child development and stress can cause issues the development of teeth and bone, all of which is prevalent in this region. Each child may have multiple dental and periodontal issues and diseases.
From January till March of 2017 the number of children seeking dental care were: Nansen Boarding School N2 (10 children), “Little Prince” Day Care Center (11 children), GSCC Day Care Center for disadvantaged kids (13 children), OLA (Our Lady of Armenia) 15 children.
The dental clinic is providing consultations, fillings, removal of tarter, treatment of cavitiesthrough the infiltration method, as well as the removal and treatment with orthodontics. Dentists offer children the chance to have all the dental treatment they need – including cleanings, x-rays and filling (for cavities).
Overall 53 children were examined, 49 got corresponding treatment and 14 children had extractions.In addition to their treatments, children were also taught the 5 basic steps to caring for teeth and gums; “the rules of oral hygiene”:
During three sessions, dental services are provided by the caring and professional work ofvolunteer dentists from Paris-UMAF (France). These special volunteers work tirelessly 7 days a week for weeks to treat the children while educating them of the importance of the oral hygiene and the prevention of gum diseases.
Taking into consideration that State- supported dental service is no longer free of charge for kids, the role of SOAR dental clinic in the community is of the utmost important in providing primary care and in keeping the children’s teeth healthy. It is also essential in the prevention and/ or treatment of early onset tooth decay, tooth loss, and subsequent gum and oral diseases.
With no safety net for the children of Gyumri and Tsaghagdzor from the state and with limited number of dental clinics which unfortunately provide substandard care and are rarely available, there is no hope for the health of the young disadvantaged. . This makes the role of "SOAR Dental Care Program" in Gyumri essential for the most disadvantaged children and families in the community! They get 100% qualified dental service absolutely free of charge! Naturally, the need for such service is growing in the community.
Now, WE NEED YOUR HELP! You can help make a difference and change the course of this endemic crisis. We need to fund the operational cost, supplies, and salaries of the dentists and technicians who will work in Gyumri's dental clinic.
The funds will be used to obtain HQ teeth files, working equipment, teeth filling materials, disinfection solvents, root canals plumbing materials , fluorine-containing materials for regular care, prophylactic materials, and other administrative expenses (for example utility costs, as winters are very cold in that district and the clinic needs proper heating).
No amount is too little to make a contribution to the project!!! We appreciate and welcome your support in any amount you are able to contribute. We are working towards the full operation of the clinic as well as the opening of a new clinic.
We are grateful for your continued support to alleviate the pain, suffering, and poor dental health of these children. Thank you all for providing this unparalleled gift for the orphaned children and Armenia’s destitute. Please donate through Global Giving’s Dental Care for Orphans campaign!!!
Project Reports on GlobalGiving are posted directly to globalgiving.org by Project Leaders as they are completed, generally every 3-4 months. To protect the integrity of these documents, GlobalGiving does not alter them; therefore you may find some language or formatting issues.
If you donate to this project or have donated to this project, you will get an e-mail when this project posts a report. You can also subscribe for reports via e-mail without donating.
We'll only email you new reports and updates about this project.
Support this important cause by creating a personalized fundraising page.
Start a Fundraiser
Make a monthly donation & get 
