INTERVIDA works to reduce tooth decay

A disease that has affected 5000 million people in the world.
Oral diseases are a problem for global health that affects both the industrialized and developing countries, especially in poor communities. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 5,000 million people on the planet have experienced dental caries. In fact, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimates that 5000 million people on the planet have experienced dental caries. Given the high incidence of this ailment among the most disadvantaged populations, teams of Health are working to bring INTERVIDA to those communities dental services they require. As a result of this work, during 2005 there were nearly 4,100,000 fluorizaciones and more de135.000 dental care in schools and communities.

The leading causes of oral diseases are poor nutrition, high sugar consumption and lack of calcium and Micronutrients, and some poor hygiene habits, in addition to environmental risk factors such as unsafe water, coupled with the limited availability and accessibility to services of oral health. Similarly, the poverty that prevents them afford the treatments, the low level of education and lack of traditions that promote oral health a decisive influence on the incidence of these diseases.

Peru, for example, is one of the countries where the incidence of dental health problems is reaching alarming levels. According to the Ministry of Health, 95% of the population is affected by caries and 80% suffer from lack of alignment of the teeth. These data have been corroborated by teams INTERVIDA in Andahuaylas, where each school has an average of eleven carious teeth and an index of oral hygiene bad or very bad.

Poor oral health has profound effects on the health and quality of life in general. The pain, problems eating or Chewing, loss of parts and the existence of damaged or discolor teeth have important effects on the lives and welfare of everyday people. In addition, the loss of teeth at an early age poses serious problems of nutrition and increases the risk of infection, and therefore requires an urgent solution.

Therefore, teams in the sector of Health INTERVIDA have a basis for their work in dental care, developing projects for prevention and treatment of oral diseases in all the countries in which they conduct their work. One of the great challenges that face these professionals is the difficult access to communities that are remote or poorly communicated. Therefore, The dentists INTERVIDA of moving to the field in mobile medical units that have the tools and equipment needed to perform dental exams. As a result, during 2005, it was possible to perform more than 135,000 dental care in schools and communities.

On the other hand, to prevent the problem from escalating further, it is very important to undertake preventive actions to help improve the oral health of the smallest. Among these measures, in 2005, nearly 4,100,000 fluorizaciones INTERVIDA conducted among schoolchildren free through regular campaigns. Among these measures, in 2005, nearly 4100000 fluorizaciones INTERVIDA conducted among schoolchildren free through regular campaigns. It also promotes brushing teeth through the free distribution of Toothpaste and toothbrush in schools and Empower parents about the importance of proper oral hygiene, with the holding of Preventive Medicine Symposium.It also encourages the use of this good practice across the Toilet Corners (composed of brushes, Soaps, towels and Nail Clipper) present in the classroom.