My Dental Health, Its Importance, and How I Would Organize an Intervention


By Isatou Touray, The Gambia



My relationship with dental health


I try to take care of my teeth:

I brush at least twice a day when possible, using toothpaste and a toothbrush. But I admit I am not always disciplined  sometimes I forget or don’t have toothpaste, or I brush only once when I’m busy. Also, when I went to school in rural areas, dental hygiene was not emphasised; many students did not own their own toothbrush, or shared one, or used chewing sticks. I’ve had a toothache a few times; those nights are uncomfortable, and I’d miss school or rest poorly. Some family members have had serious problems: my younger cousin lost a tooth because of severe decay, and an elderly aunt had pain for a long before getting it treated. Treatment was delayed because the clinic was far away or because of cost. This has made me both more aware of the importance of prevention, and also how inequitable dental care can be.



The value of dental care; effects of poorly maintained teeth


Good dental care matters a lot. Healthy teeth help with eating, speaking, smiling without shame, maintaining nutrition, preventing pain, infections, and avoiding complications. Poor oral health can affect many parts of life: chronic toothache reduces appetite, makes eating difficult (leading to poor diet or malnutrition), disturbs sleep, reduces concentration in school or work. Infections in the mouth can spread; sometimes untreated decay leads to abscesses, which can be dangerous. Also, dental pain can cause people to avoid social situations, lose confidence, or incur costly treatments. From a public health standpoint, preventing dental disease is much cheaper than treating it once it becomes severe (for example, instead of extraction or surgical removal, earlier fillings or cleanings cost less and cause less suffering).



How I would organize a dental health intervention: specifics



Target Groups & Scale


I would focus primarily on school children, especially in rural primary schools, because habits formed young can last. Also pregnant women and other vulnerable groups (elderly). A realistic initial intervention might reach about 300–500 children in one or two schools, plus some adults in the community.



Team


• 1 dentist or dental officer (if available)


• 2 dental assistants / trained nurses


• 2‑3 community health volunteers or peer educators (young people from the community)


• 1 logistic / supply coordinator


• 1 data / monitoring person



Supplies and Materials


• Toothbrushes and toothpaste for each child (possibly extra kits for their families)


• Fluoride varnish or fluoride treatment materials if possible


• Dental mirrors, probes, gloves, masks


• Basic dental filling materials (if possible), extraction tools (forceps etc.) and equipment for cleanings


• Educational materials: posters, flipcharts, leaflets in English and local languages, picture charts showing brushing technique, causes of decay etc.


• Water, cups / containers for rinsing, soap


• Tools for demonstration: model teeth, large teeth models to show brushing, and maybe chewing‑sticks / other traditional tools if relevant


• Stationery for record keeping, attendance lists, feedback forms

Intervention

Plan & Activities



Preparatory work: meet school authorities, parents, community leaders to let them know the plan, get consent, schedule times.



Education session: teach children (in class) about dental hygiene: how to brush properly, why to brush, what foods damage teeth, importance of fluoride, when to seek help. Use demonstrations.

Distribution of supplies: give a toothbrush and paste to each child, show how to use them.



Clinical screening: check children for cavities, decay, gum disease; treat what can be treated (fillings, cleanings, extractions if very necessary and safe).

Follow‑up: scheduled visits every few months (e.g. every 3 months) to check condition, reapply fluoride, reinforce education.

Community involvement: involve parents, local health centre; perhaps train a teacher or health volunteer to check teeth monthly or to remind children to brush.



Region near me where children’s teeth are neglected


Yes  in many rural areas of The Gambia, especially in the Upper River Region and in villages far from Banjul or other major towns, children’s dental care is very neglected. Many children go to school without ever having had a visit to a dentist, many lack basic supplies (toothbrush, toothpaste), and decay is common. Also, because dentists are few and concentrated in coastal / urban areas, rural communities often cannot access treatment or even preventive education.