475. Pingo Doce helps treat oral health of residents

The project "the VRSA Smiling" was released by the city of Vila Real de Santo António (VRSA) at the end of last year and to date has funded dental care to 85 people.

From the moment that authority announced a protocol with six clinics in the county and the financing of oral health care to the most needy that the number of subscribers continues to grow. Currently there are about 1500 people waiting to be called.

Not all individuals listed meet the criteria required by the municipality, which were established in the economic conditions of each household. In this sense, the City continues to make the respective social analysis to determine which people are able to integrate the program, says the Mayor of VRSA.

After the protocol signed with the county's six dentists, last week the project received a new lease of life support through the Pingo Doce, which collaborated with EUR 150 000 under social patronage. It is clearly a very important financial boost and a gesture of welcome. We have a budget of 300,000 euros for this year and only with this contribution can fund the project by 50 percent, said Luis Gomes.

However, the mayor acknowledged that the budget needed to finally resolve the problems of oral health of residents has no limits and you can not define, because there are people to sign up continuously.

Helder Jacinto, Pingo Doce, recalled that this is the first supermarket chain that support for the field of dentistry and oral health. Regarding the Chamber of Vila Real de Santo António, one official stated that it is an example to be followed by other municipalities.

JA, Jornal do Algarve

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Here is an example of what should be good practice in relation to sponsorship of initiatives to promote oral health of populations.

Projects in which the promoters of patronage are the same as managing resources and "contract" to show dentists work have no place in the actual promotion of population health, often aimed at schemes of tax evasion and embezzlement.

It is necessary and critical to separate the promoters of the patronage of the entities that manage the resources available; turn to dentists only they are responsible for the implementation of clinical interventions, being duly compensated for their work.

The City Council of Vila Real de Santo António, Pingo Doce and the dentists who participated in this project are to be congratulated, so there are other municipalities in the country to copy this example.