IU Dental Update

The dental clinic at the International University (IU) provides a range of dental treatment to poor and vulnerable children living in Phnom Penh. Through the funding provided by CamKids, children from orphanages and poor communities have been able to access a range of basic dental treatments at the IU clinic. Types of treatment provided include:

• Relief from pain and infection (by doing extractions and in some cases basic pulp treatments);
• Prevention (sealing the molar teeth and applying fluoride to prevent decay);
• Restorations (in permanent teeth, and also some primary teeth in order to maintain the space for the adult teeth to come through);
• Silver fluoride applications to arrest decay in the primary teeth. 

In addition to the dental treatment provided, the dental team also provides oral health education, using visual aids to teach the children how to brush their teeth correctly. Furthermore, each child is provided with a toothbrush and toothpaste so they can maintain their oral health and hygiene.

The IU dental students also greatly benefit from having the opportunity to work at IU clinic. Through working at the clinic, the students have had the chance to further develop their knowledge and skills by working with specialized dentists and by providing treatment to the children. Therefore, thanks to CamKids’ funding, IU students and staff have been able to provide much needed dental treatment to thousands of Cambodia’s most vulnerable and underserved children.

During the last three months of 2013, the number of beneficiaries of the IU clinic increased to 20-25 children per half day – more than in the previous last nine-month reporting period. During October, November and December 2013, a total of 491 patients were treated.