School Education & Essential Dentistry
IMPACT OF SEED
Across the globe, children suffer from a common but preventable disease - dental cavities (or caries), often losing permanent teeth before adulthood.
Untreated caries can lead to:
sleepless nights
school absences
poor nutrition
premature death
In many developing countries, dental professionals are few, & basic dental care & preventive education are lacking.
“Oral health is integral to general health & well-being, yet it has been neglected in the region for much too long, often with severe & lasting consequences.”
“Most oral health diseases can be prevented without medical assistance – through a healthy lifestyle, a well-balanced diet & good oral hygiene. In addition to oral diseases’ significant health burden, they also have a detrimental social & economic impact, restricting individuals’ participation in society & leading to productivity loss, as well as learning disruptions among school children.”
World Oral Health Day, March 2023
https://www.afro.who.int/news/africa-burdened-largest-global-increase-oral-diseases
Dr. Matshidiso Moeti, WHO Director for Africa, stated:
Welcome to SEED Oral Care, an organization promoting oral health & bright smiles for children globally
Dental decay is a mostly preventable condition. Thus, there is a critical need for treatment & preventative dental hygiene education in schools.
Impact of SEED
SEED brings oral care & education directly into public schools
Through SEED, we will evaluate K-12 students & their teachers at each host site to assess dental health status, treat existing decay, & provide hygiene training for prevention of dental caries rather than losing permanent teeth
Through SEED, teachers can continue to educate their students about preventive dental hygiene techniques after dental health has been restored
Through SEED, more dental health professionals will gain critical experience by collaborating
SEED will begin in south-central Africa, starting in Zambia
SEED will expand the program globally in the not-too-distant future, supporting 2-5,000 students & teachers per year!
SEED will cover all costs for treating those in need at local dental schools & clinics, including transportation & meals while treatment is underway
SEED will provide antibiotics & other medications, plus dental hygiene materials & training to all students & teachers in our care
At SEED, all participation is voluntary, & students will receive hygiene materials even if they do not wish to participate in the program
SEED will partner with local faculty & students, as well as dental & medical health professionals in colleges & clinics, to conduct a collaborative program & enhance mutual learning
By supporting SEED together, we can ensure that every child experiences a healthy, pain-free smile over a lifetime
THE BLUEPRINT
Brighter Smiles, One Community at a Time
