Children of Armavir district benefit from free-of-charge dental care

Children of Armenia Fund and Karakert health clinic partner to bring basic dental care to communities in need

Published: Friday March 26, 2010

Free dental care for children in Karakert. Courtesy photo

Karakert, Armenia - As part of the health care component of its Comprehensive Rural Development Program, the Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) has partnered with the Karakert Health Clinic in providing free dental care to the children of Karakert and the neighboring communities of the Baghramyan Region in the Armavir District of Armenia.

Dental care is not readily available to most rural Armenian families due to shortages in both quality dental practices and resources with which to pay the required fees for service. As a result, tooth decay is widespread, affecting nearly 100% of the rural population, often beginning during early childhood.

This project is an excellent example of community and individual investments in the development activities implemented by COAF in Armenia's rural communities and the great impact that such partnerships have on child health.

This unique and unprecedented program began on February 1, 2010 and lasted for 30 business days, providing free-of-charge dental care to many needy children. Designed in accordance with the latest industry standards and equipped with all the necessary medical supplies, the recently opened dental unit in the Karakert Health Clinic hosted a total of 312 children during the project period.

Dr. Gevorg Ghazaryan, a certified and qualified local dentist who operates the Dental Unit, treated 163 teeth, extracted 110, took X-Rays of 19 children's teeth and gave consultations to 31 adolescents, providing specialized oral hygiene - all completely free-of-charge. This initiative was possible in large part due to Dr. Ghazaryan's dedication and generosity. He and his staff worked long hours to bring back bright smiles to rural children. Patients were grateful for the dentist's professionalism and moved by his caring attitude; hardly anyone left the clinic unhappy.

Another significant component of the project was the education of the young and the elderly in the basics of dental care and oral hygiene. Prior to the dental screening and treatment, seminars in health education were organized in cluster schools and kindergartens, aimed at revealing the prevalence of existing dental problems and raising children's, parents' and teachers' awareness of the consequences of poor dental health. Informational leaflets on oral hygiene were also distributed to children, their parents and the general cluster population.

The collaboration between the Karakert Health Clinic and the local dentist in this charitable activity can serve as a model to be replicated at health clinics and in communities throughout the region. In the words of Dr. Ghazaryan, "It's the duty of every village resident to do his or her share to support the development of the community, by participating in activities that are especially advantageous to children and adolescents. It is COAF's impressive work in our communities and its remarkable achievements that have inspired me to become part of this important philanthropy".

The only specialized dental office in the region, the Dental Unit in the Karakert Health Clinic was established in December 2009 through the initiative of COAF, with financial support from Newman's Own Foundation.