CHARITY PROJECT NAKUPENDA

One of the most serious problems in Gambia, as far as dentistry is concerned, is the lack of oral hygiene (eating) habits. This is made more serious by visiting tourists, most of whom hand out sweets to children in the area.

This problem is being tackled by the Spanish NGO Nakupenda sana in Gambia, which has for over six years been running a range of projects such as:(Freedom Project, Eye x Eye, Milk Bank, Medicine for all…)

The “Smiles Project” has now been added to all of these projects, which intends to assess the current situation and oral health of children in Gambia.

The Gambia Smiles Project was run in October 2012, and was split up unto two stages:

• • the first one was carried out in the field, visiting schools, neighbourhoods and villages to raise awareness of the importance of oral hygiene. This work was supported by talks and the handing out of toothbrushes and toothpaste, full check-ups and the application of fluoride as an agent to strengthen the surface of the tooth. This is the barrier of choice for preventing cavities. The project team spent 15 days in the area and visited different work zones such as:Lamin, Basori, Bijilo, kukunjang, Talindin…. The children who were examined were between the ages of 6 and 12, which is when the so-called dental exchange takes place.

• The children in the worst condition, or who are candidates for a specific treatment, will be treated during a second phase.