ALLIANCE FOR GOOD HEALTH
Dental Caries Prevention Project -
HEALTHY TEETH GIVE YOU GOOD HEALTH AND A BEAUTIFUL SMILE
Were you aware that in 2019 in Bolivia, 45.3% of children aged 1-9 had untreated caries (cavity precursors) in deciduous teeth, while 39.2% of people aged 5 and above had untreated caries in permanent teeth?
This year, we embarked on an exciting new project to improve the oral health of indigenous communities in the Bolivian Amazon. Our first stop was the primarily Tacana communities of Carmen Soledad and Puerto Motor in the province of José Ballivián, Beni, Bolivia.
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We collected qualitative data through in-depth interviews of mothers who have children 5 years and younger.
First step: Performed a Needs Assessment
Findings:
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We collected quantitative data using an abbreviated Oral Health Related Quality Of Life (OHRQOL) questionnaire given to mothers who have children 5 years and younger.
Findings:
In the three months preceding our survey:
Second Step: Implemented a multi-prong intervention using
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The Social Support Theory
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The Habits and Nudges Theory
We aimed to
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increase frequency of proper toothbrushing with fluoridated toothpaste
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decrease sugar consumptions by targeting four key groups
Health Promotors
Learning how to prevent cavities with proper toothbrushing technique and fluoride toothpaste.
Peer Educators
Participating in a training program to become peer educators
Mothers of children 5 and under
Learning how to care for their children's teeth by limiting sugar consumption and toothbrushing properly.
Elementary School Children
Learning by doing