Dental Care for 235 orphans in Armenia

Cavities are the most prevalent chronic disease among children in Armenia. Empirical studies have documented that: 1) the average 5-year old child in Armenia has eight decayed, missing or filled primary teeth; 2) between the ages of 14 and 17 years old, the average child continues to experience dental decay at the rate of one permanent tooth per year; 3) almost 90% of all 12-year-old children in Armenia have cavities; and, 4) only 20% of Armenian 18-year-olds still have all of their teeth. Unquestionably, dental hygiene problems are more problematic among institutionalized children. To address these dental issues, SOAR’s Dental Fund was created in September 2015 and is overseen by a team of dental experts.

Forty-nine (49) children were seen at the Dental Clinic in July 2019 (the Clinic closes in August). The children came from the greater Gyumri community and from the following institutions: Gyumri Social Childcare Center, Nansen Orphanage, and Our Lady of Armenia Center. With the exception of three (3) extractions, all of the children had regular cleanings.