Nepal - School based oral health project in remote Timal Besi

By Lonim Prasai Dixit

Map from Wordfactbook

Introduction

Dr. Lonim Prasai Dixit, Department of Community Dentistry at the Peoples Dental College and Hospital, Kathmandu, Nepal initiated the School based oral health project within the School Health and Nutrition (SHN) program supported by CCS Italy Country Office, a Non Governmental Organization in Nepal since 2007.

The oral health project covers 4142 schoolchildren from ethnic minority groups in 44 schools in seven Village Development Committees (VDCs) of Timal Besi. The families and children residing in the area have minimal accessibility and affordability to optimum healthcare including oral health.

This report outlines the oral health project conducted in 2009. Dr. Lonim Dixit, Dr Prenit Pokhrel and Dr. Manash Shrestha were responsible for the project implementation.


On the way to Timal Besi

Background

As reported by the Nepal National Pathfinder Survey 2004, dental caries is a highly prevalent childhood disease in Nepal (57%). The school health assessment done in Sarsyukharka VDC by Dhulikhel hospital in 10 schools in the area reported the need for oral health care services as dental caries was highly prevalent compared to other disease.

Project outline

Specific objective:
· Increased access to School Health and Nutrition services for school going children.

· Increased oral health knowledge and awareness among school teachers and teachers.

Achievement

  • Training on tooth brushing method was given to 44 teachers who were divided into two groups of 22.
S.N Activity Date Beneficiaries
1

School Health and Nutrition and Oral Health Training for School Teachers of Timal Area

22nd February to 3rd March 2009

 

44 school teachers of the Timal region
2

Mid Annual Dental Check Up

 

17th – 30th May 2009

 

4142 school children of 43 schools

 
3

School based oral health camps

 

10th August 2009 onwards

 

2069 school children of 25 different schools

 



Teachers receiving training

  • An oral health manual in Nepali language was developed by the Department and distributed to the teachers.
  • The mid annual dental check up of the primary level school children were carried out in conjunction with the general health, eye and ENT check up. The interns and doctors of the People Dental College and Hospital, participated in the dental screening at 43 different schools covering 4142 school children.
  • School based Dental camps were conducted in 25 schools covering 2069 school going children.
  • Basic Oral health education was given to all the 2069 children.
  • Total Number of Children receiving treatment: 1171
    • Total Number of Children receiving ART : 370
    • Total Number of Tooth Extraction: 635
    • Total Number of Children receiving topical fluoride application: 136
    • Total Number of Children with deep pit and fissures sealed: 30


Performing extraction


Oral health education in classroom


Dental Screening


Performing ART

In 2010 the project will be introducing school based tooth brushing program in all 44 schools. The brushing program will be supervised by trained teachers and will be conducted after mid day meals in the school settings.


Team at Timal

Conclusion

School based oral health project is an effective means of reaching children from socioeconomically marginalized communities. Integration of oral health component into the SHN program of NGOs under the WHO School Health and Nutrition Initiative would be very fruitful and effective in reaching the school age children in remote areas of Nepal.