Dental Hygiene Project

The problem
Guatemala has one of the worst dental services in the world, ranking only behind Haiti.
Most of the children here have never received any dental treatment or dental education in their lives besides the treatment that they have received by our program. According to information given by the principals of the local schools, the percentage of students with cavities has reached 77%. Children are not in a position to receive proper dental care due to lack of financial income. 

Without this program the communities of El Tigre and Xecnachavox located in the western Guatemala would not get the opportunity to see a dentist or learn about dental hygiene.​

Our Approach
Yearly Kamalbe Mobile Clinics have managed to provide assistance to 350 children; however, the situation in Guatemala is still severe and we need help to keep running the program and reach our goals.

Thanks to the agreement between Kamalbe School and Universidad del Valle de Guatemala, Quetzaltenango, Dental School helps provide us fluoride application, dental extractions, and lectures for children in the communities of Salcaja and Xecanchavox. We also assist some parents with minor dental treatment, and all the treatments are free to the children.

Kamalbe Clinics have the goals of reducing the number of children with dental cavities and assisting local schools with their education. We are not only trying to avoid dental problems, but also create a healthy culture through educational programs for the kids by teaching how important it is to take care of their own teeth and general health.

Many rural families do not have access to general health services, therefore our free services are fundamental to assist dental health as well as reduce costs for rural families so that this money can instead be put towards feeding their family. 

Costs
It costs $800 per year to run the program. All donations are important to us, no matter how big or small. All we need is $1.65 per child to cover expenses and to keep the program running. Making a small donation of $5 would provide services to 3 children, and a donation of $10 would mean you are helping at least 7 children!

Even though the dentist professionals donate their time and service, there is some cost for their transportation that we have to cover. The money will be used to buy medication (Ibuprofen, panadol, winasorb, amoxilina, acitromicina, gloves, bags for disposal, transportation of equipment, etc.), proper chairs for dental treatment, as well as other supplies such as syringes and needles, gloves, anesthesia. 

or check out our Dental care internship