In the brightly decorated classrooms of 16 Vietnamese kindergartens, the mission to improve children’s health took on a unique and vibrant energy. Between September and December 2024, an ICD Section XV humanitarian team brought an unusual set of tools to their work. In addition to traditional dental equipment, the volunteers introduced tooth-brush puppets and organized “two-minute dance-offs” to engage 1,000 preschool children. This creative approach aimed to provide fast, fun, and evidence-based prevention while helping the children feel comfortable during their clinical screenings.
Each child received a professional dental screening and a fluoride application when clinically indicated. To ensure these healthy lessons continued at home, every participant received a take-home kit containing a child-size brush, fluoride toothpaste, and a coloring sheet that doubles as a brushing calendar for parents.
The project successfully met its goal of reaching 3,000 people through oral health education. Of the 1,000 children examined, 687 who showed signs of cavitated tooth decay received immediate topical fluoride treatment and were referred to local clinics for necessary follow-up care. A total of 16 dental outreach services were completed during this mission, and educational sessions for parents emphasized the critical role of diet and proper brushing in maintaining long-term health.
The project’s preventive focus surprised the local community. “Parents kept asking, ‘No drilling, really?'” noted Dr. Khai Dao. He emphasized the long-term benefits of this strategy, stating, “We explained that arresting active caries saves pain, money and school days.”
Section XV team has since “handed the baton” to school teachers, equipping them with educational materials to remind parents when it is time to replace worn brushes.
This project was possible thanks to the ICD Global Visionary Fund – Henry Schein Cares Grant Program. We are proud to support humanitarian initiatives like this one that deliver critical care to underserved communities.
The Global Visionary Fund’s grant program is made possible by the generous donations of ICD Fellows and the ongoing support of Henry Schein. To ensure we can continue serving those in need, the College has launched the Building a Legacy of Impact campaign. The GVF is a priority area of this campaign, designed to expand our support for humanitarian oral health initiatives worldwide.
Please help us change lives by supporting the campaign today at icd.org/campaign.
