As of 2008, Project Chicken is being conducted in conjunction with our Dental Health Outreach Initiative, which is a plan being administered by the local health committees in each village in the RAAN district.

Mission: The goal of the project is to improve the dental health of local residents through dental education, toothbrush provision, and fluoride treatments to be administered quarterly. The project is to be conducted in conjunction with the ongoing Health outreach program, and will be administered by the volunteer health nurses from each village. In the future, if possible, dentists will be brought into assist in extractions and to train people locally in more advanced dental care techniques.

Procedure:

1-In order to be eligible for the program, families must sign a contract committing to brushing daily and to making and keeping the necessary appointments for ongoing dental health. Parents will be given a toothbrush at the 6 month check and educated about dental health and the importance of starting BEFORE a child has decayed teeth. Once the child enters the school system, they will receive a toothbrush at school, where they will brush daily for 2 minutes (10 seconds each surface, each quadrant).

2- One toothbrush per child per year will be provided to be kept at the school in toothbrush holders made for that purpose. Locks will be installed on the doors at the school to keep toothbrushes safe. If funds exist, toothbrushes will be replaced every six months. Parents can use their children’s toothbrushes if they wish to maintain their own dental health. If funds exist, eventually adults will be provided with brushes and fluoride treatments as well.

3-Brushing techniques will be demonstrated and coached. Children and adults with no concerns over salt consumption (for example, no heart or kidney issues) can use baking soda three times per week to help clean teeth more effectively if there is no toothpaste available. If possible, flossing will be added at a later date.

4-The family will come in on a quarterly basis with the children to receive fluoride treatment with paint-on fluoride to their local community nurse.

5-Flouride will be provided and kept at the clinic in Bilwaskarma, then distributed to local health nurses on a quarterly basis. Toothbrushes can be kept at the clinic in Bilwaskarma and brought to communities on a monthly/as needed basis, to be given to local health nurses for families only when they have presented signed contracts.

6- Records are to be kept of individuals enrolled so that an accurate assessment of project effect can be made. If possible, a basic dental health evaluation should be made at the start of the trial, and then conducted semi-annually thereafter.

7-Nurses volunteering their time will be eligible to be enrolled in “Proyecto Kalila,” meaning that they will be given a flock of chickens, feed, and supplies once their chicken coops are built. In addition, depending on time spent on the dental program, they may receive ongoing support in the form of feed for their birds to allow them to maximize production.

8-Plans for the dental health initiative will be presented at the community health committee workshop so quarterly visits can be planned at the start of the year.

9-Dental health training of local nurses is to be conducted by Freesia and Clara, and possibly a basic explanation of the program can be given at local churches to wake people’s interest in participating.