Poor oral health is a very solvable problem and helping children access and develop better oral hygiene can significantly improve oral health throughout their lives. Bringing oral hygiene practices into the school and training teachers and the administration to oversee and encourage daily use has shown to have a long-term positive impact on these children’s oral health.

 

A Brushodrome is a room within a local school (not the bathroom) built with several oral hygiene stations. These stations are fully equipped with the necessary tools including (an alcohol gel dispenser at the front door for infection control, countertops appropriate to the height of children with four sinks and running taps, and a big mirror.) Each child is given a brushing kit (toothbrush, toothpaste, dental floss, and an oral hygiene folder) each semester or twice a year.  In addition to the room, children are monitored and given periodic fluoride treatments. Programs also include education about the effects of diets high in sugary foods and drinks. Programs like this help to reduce the next generation’s need for expensive dental procedures in the future.

 

Schools with well-equipped Brushodromes remind children to clean and care for their teeth daily and after meals. These schools have seen a significant reduction in caries and teeth removals. Additionally, the administration and teachers are trained in the basics of oral hygiene. Periodically, Hand In Hand will visit the school, assess the conditions of the Brushodrome room, but most importantly, evaluate the overall condition and needs of the student’s oral status. When appropriate, these visits will also include fluoride treatments.

 

Hand In Hand hopes to build more Brushodromes in all the schools throughout this region especially those in remote border villages that have less access to dental care and resources. 

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