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The International Humanitarian Outreach Program
Program Objectives
Several years ago the USA Section of the International College of Dentists’ Board of Regents determined that we should become more involved with programs that provided dental humanitarian support on a global basis. After considering many ideas and concepts, a project was approved that supported the training of dentists in Vietnam for a Masters’ Degree program in dental public health. This program was conceived and directed by Dave Sampe and Jim Felix in 2001 and 2002 with the support of then USA-ICD President Dick Shick.
The rationale for this program was to provide a means for the Fellows of the U.S.A. Section of the ICD to personally participate in a humanitarian project that will enable the U.S.A. Section to be identified as an international leader in dental health education.
There are millions of people in the world in emerging, developing countries who do not have access to dental care. Pain, infection and dysfunction are an unfortunate way of life due to the unintended consequences of not having access to adequate dental care and preventive measures.
The scope of this program was to establish specialty Dental Public Health training programs to introduce public health dentistry measures as a means of mitigating the severity of the dental problems in emerging/developing countries.
The outcome objective of this program for Vietnam was that many of the population were both better educated and exposed to the benefits of dental public health measures. The objectives which have been realized to date are: extended our western concept of cultural-scientific thinking to their faculty, initiated government public policy on fluoridation, promoted the use of fluorides in toothpaste, and introduced dental health as part of the curriculum in their elementary schools. After success in Vietnam, the project was expanded to Cambodia and Laos and all of these efforts are ongoing.
Program Summary since inception in 2002
The Program has supported the training of Vietnam and Cambodian dentists in dental public health measures in these countries that have very low per capita incomes and dentist-to-population ratios. As an example, the average dentist-to-population ratio in the US is 1:1,000 whereas this ratio is 1:18,000 in Vietnam and 1:10,000 in Cambodia. A special solicitation for this program from USA-ICD Fellows was started in 2002 to provide benefits for the people of Vietnam. The success of this initial solicitation and perceived benefits resulted in the expansion of the program into Cambodia and Laos. Since 2002, USA Fellows have donated more than $150,000 to this program, representing well over 1,000 contributions ($28,000 was provided in 2010 for this program). The program assisted with the training of 65 dentists in Vietnam and 24 in Cambodia, so far. More participants are expected in Laos as well.
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LAOS/CAMBODIA/VIETNAM |
VIETNAM |
Although these programs do not directly provide care to individual patients in these countries, it provides the trained dentist the knowledge to develop practical skills in designing programs for their populations. The program students not only learn important information about public health dental measures and strategies but also how to deal with the public administration, health services planning and health services evaluation methods in the program. Much of the instruction is provided in the field rather than in the classroom so as to help the individual program students identify the most effective and efficient ways of improving oral health in their own communities. Many of the graduates also serve as instructors for additional similar programs. The progress of these programs since 2002 was slowed by the SARS concerns and some administrative obstacles within each country. Regardless, the benefits of the programs are evident. These achievements in part are due to the generous support given to the program by the Fellows in the ICD USA Section. It should also be noted that a specific room in the Laos Faculty of Dentistry complex has been equipped and furnished as the Dental Public Health Room by the ICD USA Section.
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PHOTOS OF PROGRAM ACTIVITIES IN VIETNAM |
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Program Future Plans
The worthiness of this program stresses the need for its continuance. For the immediate future, this same concept (training dentists about dental public health measures) will be repeated in all three countries with another group of dentists. Perhaps in the future this program should be considered for countries in Africa, especially since one of the principal consultants (Dr. Hobdell) is not only very knowledgeable about Africa but also is highly respected on that continent. It is expected that this program’s future support by the USA ICD will be through the USA Section Foundation.
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LAOS/CAMBODIA/VIETNAM |
AFRICA |
send E-mail inquiries to: ICD Central Office or call (301) 251-8861
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