The oral care of refugee children by Muke Society will begin in May 2023

In Kyaka II Refugee Settlement, the caries index of refugee children was non-existent, but, thanks to the program of the Muke Society for Health which set up prevention campaigns, the improvement of oral and dental hygiene , and the use of fluorides. The fear of parents and the lack of care for teeth that will "fall out" mean that early childhood caries is no longer a major problem.

Poor oral health can be prevented in refugee children; otherwise, its development is a major predictor of caries in adulthood and influences the dental health of adolescents.

High consumption of sweets, lack of brushing and poor oral health are often associated with "at risk" groups: the significant functional and aesthetic consequences constitute handicap factors for the social integration of refugee children and stigmatize an already vulnerable population.

The situation is aggravated by less recourse to care: the refugees consult late, in an emergency, and generally do not continue with care. They have a dental surgeon, but preferably resort to hospital structures and do not consult preventively.

STRATEGY AND INTERVENTION SESSIONS

Support sessions

The accompaniment begins with a family visit by the team in charge of the United Refugees program for public health, to prevent the renunciation of care; and the child's family circle is always involved in the course of the sessions.

1st session

The child's family circle is trained in oral problems and the psychological approach of the child to enable them to be able to ensure prevention with the food and oral hygiene of children; we teach a method of brushing to parents and children; the child receives a complete dental kit and an advice sheet to which he can refer. Then he becomes acquainted with the environment of the care centre; the team lets their imagination run wild, but the terms used then remain the same to reassure the child.

2nd session

A member of the "dedicated" team recalls, in the form of a question-and-answer game, the concepts of brushing and food choices.

It prepares the child for the treatment session and the discovery of the act.

The child is taught without parental presence to familiarize him with the material.

After the session, a member explains to the parents the importance of follow-up.

When the session is over, follow-up sessions are scheduled every two months. The child will leave the course accompanied around 12-13 years for another circuit.

The center works and is always full; a second armchair is open so that a maximum of children from 4 to 12 years old can benefit from an oral examination and care.

The results are positive: if the vocabulary does not evolve sufficiently ("pulling out a tooth" remains the standard expression), the integration of twice-daily brushing is often obtained. education

to health, very present from the first approach, continues during care with reminders when the child comes under control.

PROJECT BUDGET

The total budget of the project is 8000 US dollar, of which 800 US dollar will be financed by the Muke Company, so it remains to finance 7200 US dollar.