1. Dates: May – December  2007

2. Locations:

Department of Arequipa in Arequipa Province, Districts: Cerro Colorado, Paucarpata, La Joya.

In Caylloma Province: Majes District, urban San Juan El Alto, urban Santa Maria de la Colina.

3. Project Coordinator:
      Name: Mrs. Sonia Cardeña Tintaya
      E- mail: sonia2373@yahoo.com

4. Number of project participants: 444 children and adolescents

Monitoring of indicators

Number of beneficiaries of the campaign Number of participants trained in oral health Number of toothbrushes distributed Number of informative brochures distributed Number of dental treatments : Simple amalgams Compound amalgams Protections dentino-pulpares with zinquenol Application of fluoride gel

444 444 444 444 670 73 09 347 241

This mission included the following activities:

• Education about tooth decay and periodontal disease through informative brochures
• Education about the importance of dental health and its relationship to overall heatlh
• Dental exams, including diagnosis and treatment
• A demonstration of daily dental hygiene

1-This brief report outlines the five campaigns of this project, including photos:

The First Campaign

The first campaign was carried out in May in the Nueva Arequipa Association of Cerro Colorado District, benefiting 47 children and adolescents of the organization Niño Jesús por Siempre. 

Dr. Javier Del Carpio Abarea “Training in Association Nueva Arequipa Representative IRFF, Peru	Presentation of the program “Training  in  Oral Health,” by Mrs. Sonia Cardeña
Distribution of toothbrushes and  Informative brochures	A Dental Exam

Second Campaign

The second campaign was carried out in June in Paucarpata District, benefitting 44 children and adolescents of the organization, San Antonio de Padua.

The beneficiaries	Dental diagnosis

Third Campaign

The third campaign of this project was developed in August in urban San Juan del Alto, in the Majes District in Caylloma Province.  In coordination with city officials, this campaign was developed in an inner city environment with the participation of 128 children and adolescents.

Distribution of toothbrushes and  Informative brochures	Participating Children
Training in Oral Health	Dental Care

Fourth Campaign

The fourth campaign was developed in September in urban Santa Maria de la Colina in the Majes District in Caylloma Province, with the participation of 95 children and adolescents of limited economic resources

Participating Children	Presentation of the program in urban Santa Maria de la Colina
Dental Care	Dental Care

Fifth Campaign

The fifth campaign was carried out in December through the CAP. E.P. Marko Jara Schenone Association of of the La Joya District, benefiting 130 children and adolescents.

Registration	Demonstration of the proper Use of a toothbrush
The Children’s Dental Care	Application of fluoride gel

6. Assessment and Final Comments:
The high incidence of oral disease in Peru is a result of the prevalence of dental decay that affects up to 95% of Peruvians. Additionally, periodontal disease and malocclusion affect up to 85% and 80% of the population, respectively, according to data from the Health Ministry. Specifically in the inner city, dental infections along with poor dental hygiene among children and adolescents causes serious diseases including tooth decay and gingivitis. This project has elevated of the standards of the oral health of inner city children and adolescents between 3 and 18 years of age in the department of Arequipa to acceptable or optimal levels.

7. Goals for the Future:
To continue with and expand projects providing primary oral health care and education for Peruvian youth by means of a campaign of preventative care.

Reported by: Mrs. Sonia Cardeña Tintaya