Dental Health Education

Dental Disease Prevention Education for Kindergarten & Primary School Children in Armenia 

 

 

There is a direct link between dental and physical health; the mouth is the opening and beginning of a healthy body and a good quality of life. Inflammation in the dentition can spread throughout the body and cause septic, cardiovascular, respiratory diseases, diabetes, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. It is one of the most prevalent diseases worldwide. According to the US Department of Health and Human Services, in America alone, in the year 2000, 51 million school hours were lost due to dental issues. Lost school hours must be substantially higher in ratio in less developed countries. Komitas, the legendary Armenian composer, died in 1935 of a tooth infection which spread throughout his body.

Armenians are in dire need of dental health education. Flossing is pretty much non-existent, dental caries are at an epidemic level, gum disease prevalent, and visits to the dentist are a last resort for addressing severe toothaches. According to Manrikyan, Yerevan State University, in 2012, only 27% of children had healthy gums. A study conducted by Hand in Hand Survey in 2014 showed that in selected areas of Karabakh, 
  • 70.7% of children had caries on their primary teeth
  • 95% of children are in need of fillings
  • 72.8% had caries on permanent teeth
  • By age 8, 100% of children have cavities

 

 

Photo credit: Robert Bagramian, D.D.S.,M.P.H., Ph.D. University of Michigan School of Dentistry

Dental caries in Armenia are at an epidemic level. In the article Oral Health in Armenia, Robert Bargramian D.D.S., M.P.H., Ph.D., concludes:

  • 90% of children not brushing their teeth properly and need instruction

and asks the question: What can be done and what should be prioritized given the limited funds, lack of facilities and manpower? 

Dental disease is preventable. By providing proper oral hygiene instruction to kindergarten and primary school children across Armenia, we can put an end to this epidemic.

Implementing Dental Hygiene Education in Kindergarten and Primary Schools across Armenia

 

 

Change is possible, but it must be lasting to be effective. In the words of Dr. Gagliardi, “Constant practice, repetition, and reinforcement are necessary.” 

Besides providing instruction to students, we will implement a program in each school to make a lasting change for the students and future generations.

 

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