Addressing Dental Health Challenges in Refugee Camps and Beyond
Dental health issues are among the most common health problems worldwide, yet they remain largely preventable. This blog post explores a pilot study focusing on Syrian refugees in northern Iraq, the challenges they face related to dental care, and innovative solutions to address these issues. It also highlights how similar problems exist within the United States, particularly in underserved communities.
The Refugee Experience
In a visit to a refugee camp in the northern region of Iraq, we witnessed firsthand the stark contrast between appearances and reality. Although the camp is organized with tents that resemble proper facilities, the lack of essential services and resources is alarming. Many refugees, especially children, suffer from severe dental issues, with DMFT (Decayed, Missing, and Filled Teeth) scores reaching as high as six or more. This highlights an urgent need for effective dental intervention.
Identifying Dental Health Needs
Initial oral examinations revealed alarming statistics:
- Average DMFT score: 6
- DMFT scores for children: 10-12
These findings indicate a dire need for dental treatment and education in the refugee camp. Standard recommendations such as two to three brushings per day are impractical due to the lack of clean water and proper dental care facilities.
Implementing the EFFORT Project
To address these issues, the EFFORT project was established. The acronym EFFORT represents a comprehensive approach to improving dental health:
- Education: Training teachers, mothers, and healthcare providers within the camp.
- Fluoride Treatments: Application of fluoride gel and varnish to prevent decay.
- Focused Oral Examinations: Conducting thorough assessments to understand individual dental health status.
- Optimal Treatment: Utilizing atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) to provide care without requiring extensive dental equipment.
- Research and Monitoring: Ongoing evaluation of the health outcomes to measure the effectiveness of interventions.
- Traditional Practices: Promoting the use of the miswak, a traditional chewing stick, as a culturally acceptable alternative to toothbrushes.
- The initial results of the EFFORT project indicate significant improvements in dental health and overall well-being among the refugees.
Bridging the Gap in the United States
Contrasting the situation in refugee camps, the United States faces similar dental health challenges, particularly in communities with high poverty rates. Barriers such as high costs, fear of dentists, and limited access to care contribute to poor dental health outcomes.
Tele-dentistry as a Solution
To combat these barriers, a tele-dentistry initiative has been proposed. This involves:
- Remote Assessments: Sending an intraoral camera to schools where trained individuals can capture images of children’s dental health.
- Cloud-Based Reporting: Dental professionals assess the images and generate reports that are accessible to parents.
- Real-Time Consultations: Parents can receive immediate consultations with local dentists through their smartphones.
- Follow-Up Care: Encouraging children to visit dental clinics based on their assessment results.
This model aims to detect dental issues at an early stage, making treatment more manageable and cost-effective.
Conclusion
The need for effective dental care in both refugee camps and underserved American populations is evident. The EFFORT project demonstrates that with targeted education, culturally relevant practices, and innovative technology like tele-dentistry, we can significantly improve oral health outcomes. By focusing on prevention and accessibility, we can bridge the gap and ensure that everyone, regardless of their circumstances, receives the dental care they need.
Presentation slide below
About Speaker
Dr. Onur Nacakgedigi is an assistant clinical professor of public health science at the University of California Davis (UCD) and holding a DDS degree from Turkey with extensive experience running oral healthcare projects worldwide. Currently, he is the principal investigator of Qushtapa refugee camp oral health project in Northern Iraq and the founder of Moon Health, a California-based teledentistry company and online platform, provides innovative solutions to eliminate barriers to getting oral health care. He was honored with the 2019 Ulysses Medal for Leadership in Refugee Health Award at UCD.
