By Kohar Mardirossian Pelter, George Yacoubian, Jr. | Project Leaders
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!!!
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