Dental Peru

Funding was provided for emergency and ongoing dental relief and basic restorative dentistry to the remote and impoverished regions of Apurimac, Peru Two dentist chairs, toothbrushes and antibiotics and a 4 x 4 vehicle to enable travel through rough terrain were also purchased. Travelling with portable dental equipment, volunteer teams visit the area several times a year. Each volunteer team comprises two dentists from overseas, an indigenous Peruvian dentist, a driver and a guide for the trip. The teams embark on an eight day tour from the base with all necessary dental supplies and equipment.

Once in the villages, a dental surgery is set up in either the local health centre or school where they have the ability to carry out extractions and basic restorative work with the use of a portable compressor and drill. If the village has a school, they work with the teachers to make sure that the children are seen first. They will often treat up to 200 patients in a day.

Whilst treatment is being carried out, an assistant will work with local community leaders conducting oral healthcare awareness classes and toothbrushing demonstrations using an interactive educational model which the children love. Every patient is given a new toothbrush and the children's toothbrushes are kept at school in order that the teachers can conduct daily brushing sessions with the children.