Dental Issues in Armenia
Oral Health Risk Factors
In Armenia and Artsakh
Hand in Hand's goal is to improve the oral health of Artsakh. We do this by educating families and healthcare communities about prevention. Our team works directly with schools offering direct instruction of children and their families, dental services and procedures, school screenings, in addition to training local dentists and physicians in the importance of oral health care new treatment procedures.
Unhealthy Diet – High in sugar
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Unfortunately, sugar is affordable and accessible for families in Artsakh and is found in soda, fruit juice, honey as well as raw and candy forms.
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Families in Artsakh have diets high in all the above items.
Poor oral hygiene
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Daily oral routines are not high a priority
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People and children only go to the dentist for emergency care and not regular dental check-ups to ensure early identification of Decay, Gingivitis, and periodontitis.
Most Dental Problems are Preventable
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Good oral health, starting as a child, will reduce or prevent most oral health issues.
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The education of families to brush, get periodic cleanings, and reduce sugar is vital to long-term oral health.
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The introduction of fluoride in a child’s life through water fluorination, tablets, or other means, while controversial, will strengthen teeth.
“Oral health is a key indicator of overall health, wellbeing and quality of life. WHO defines oral health as “a state of being free from chronic mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, periodontal (gum) disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual’s capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial wellbeing.”
9/24/18 https://www.who.int/news-room/fact-sheets/detail/oral-health
