Wednesday 13 July 2011

459. Dentists adopt children and provide free care

They are dentists and undertake to adopt children and ensure that they have free medical care to teeth up to 18 years. To implement this pioneering project of solidarity in the country, the dentists are on the ground in the most deprived areas, and have identified 489 children. Of these, 109 have been selected because they had serious dental problems.

There is much to be done on oral health in Portugal and the children do not escape. Our idea is to take care of those most in need, but taking into account that, in addition to treatment, we help them to form themselves as people, says Virgínia Milagre, project coordinator of the Dentista do Bem, being presented today in Lisbon and has the support of the EDP.

In Portugal, since the beginning of the year, the project already has dozens of volunteer dentists, who promise to transform the lives of children and young people most in need through free dental care up to 18 years.

And we may be few, but that our work will help to change someone's life and that alone is important, said Virgínia Milagre, which will also receive children for free in your office.The Dentista do Bem promoted by the NGO Turma do Bem started in 2002 in Brazil.

In this first phase, the professionals, in liaison with schools, visit the establishments for a first screening, during which students are identified in need.

Next comes the second phase, in which every young person between 12 and 18, is placed the responsibility of a doctor-dentist, who adopts professionally.

In times of crisis we are aware of our reality and willing to help. But I also know that we may provide these treatments for free should not please all colleagues vents coordinator. On the ground two months ago, the Dentista do Bem it already has volunteers in schools, particularly in the Lisbon area, to identify young people who can provide a new smile.
Orlando Silva is one of the doctors who will adopt these children. I have two offices, so I can treat four children and young people. Further on is soon, who knows if there will be more, he says. Joined the project by contact with other colleagues and is now awaiting the allocation of minors. It is a way of providing a service to the community. These are kids who probably would not have another chance to receive support and so here I am, adds.
All children in the project are selected through a screening of public schools according to a national method itself, the Index of Complexity Hierarchy. There are three basic selection criteria: serious oral health problems, few economic opportunities and up to 18 years old. The project has the support of the Directorate-General for Health and ultimately serve as a complement to the dentist-check. This program is for children up to 12 years. Our project is 12 years for children with difficulties, justifies Virgínia Milagre. So somehow complement each other.
Portugal will be through the Dentista do Bem it will debut in Europe. But this non-governmental organization has proved its worth in a few years of existence, has helped more than 12,000 children and youth in Latin America, involving a network of more than 7,000 volunteer dentists.

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