Dental Health Education
On the most recent CCESP trip to the community of Hormiguero, the CH team worked in various projects to address the need for basic dental health education. Given the lack of knowledge surrounding dental healthcare and professional dentists, many members of the community suffer from oral cavities and pain.
In order to address this need, CH team members have targeted the youth in the communities to educate on healthy dental care practices to prevent the risk of poor dental health in the future.
Teeth Lacquering
Members of the CH team teach children in the community how to brush their teeth and provide them with their own toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Dartmouth undergraduate students were also trained on how to lacquer teeth, a process which involves applying a protective fluoride paste onto teeth of children.
Toothbrush Holder Project
In the LACS20 course taught by Professor Douglas Moody, two students spearheaded the toothbrush holder project. They prepared wooden toothbrush holders that were engraved with pictures and phrases that reminded children of healthy tooth brushing habits. The purpose of this project was to ultimately serve as a reminder for children to regularly brush their teeth. On the 2015 CCESP trip, children painted their own toothbrush holders to take home.
Clinic
At the clinic, a team of medical staff and medical students provide consultations to members of the Nicaraguan community. The undergraduate students are trained in taking blood pressures and performing urine examinations prior to the trip so that they can shadow the medical staff. Translators also work with the team in order to communicate the needs of the patients. All of the work is integral toward running the clinic and providing medical care to the members of the community.
Casa Materna
Bridges to Community also constructed a Casa Materna, or Maternal House in the community of Hormiguero. The CCESP team are given the opportunity to visit the Casa Materna to learn about how it serves the needs of pregnant woman and ultimately reduce the rate of maternal mortality within the communities.
Please listen to insert interview to learn more about how the Casa Materna has improved maternal health in Nicaragua.
