Spread love through smiles.

For orphaned and disabled children, receiving dental check-ups and care is not simply a free medical service, but carries profound humanitarian significance, demonstrating the community's concern and contributing to improving the quality of life for children in special circumstances.

A free dental check-up and care program for disadvantaged children in Dak Lak province was recently held by the Smile Outreach Foundation in collaboration with the Provincial Center for Social Protection and Children for nearly a week (from September 8th to 11th). Over 500 orphaned, disabled, and children from remote areas in the province received free dental check-ups and care from doctors, nurses, and volunteers from both within and outside the province, all from the Smile Outreach Foundation. These are disadvantaged children who have difficulty accessing oral health care and are at a disadvantage in social interaction.

Bringing his 10-year-old son to the dentist, Mr. Mai Chi Dung (Hoa Phu commune) shared that his son has intellectual disabilities and his family had never taken him to the dentist before. This time, after being informed by the Vi Nhan Center for Children with Disabilities – where his son is studying – that a team of doctors would be coming to provide free dental check-ups and care, he arranged his work schedule to bring his son early. During the examination, his son had his tartar cleaned and cavities filled.

Mai Chí Dũng's son (from Hòa Phú commune) received free dental care from doctors and nurses.

Mr. Nguyen Cong Luong's son (from Buon Ma Thuot ward) is 8 years old, but due to Down syndrome, he is often uncooperative, making daily oral care difficult. "I was worried and didn't know what to do, but the doctors here have been very supportive, patient, and dedicated in examining and extracting the decayed tooth," Mr. Luong expressed.

It can be said that, for orphaned and disabled children, despite receiving much attention and care from the community, the issue of dental check-ups and oral care, especially for disabled children, seems to receive very little attention from families and supporting organizations. Therefore, the dental check-up and care program implemented by doctors and medical staff of the Smile Outreach Foundation not only helps disadvantaged children access appropriate dental care services in a timely manner but also helps parents change their children's oral hygiene habits.

Mr. Bui Xuan Viet, representative of the Smile Outreach Foundation, shared: Smile Outreach Foundation is a non-profit organization established in 2012 with the aim of providing free dental care services to orphans, disabled children, and children in remote and disadvantaged areas. This is the second year the program has been organized in Dak Lak. Accordingly, the children receive dental check-ups, and depending on their condition, dentists will perform fillings, extractions, scaling, and protective and cosmetic dental treatments. Along with that, they are given medication, toothbrushes, toothpaste, and instructions on daily oral hygiene...

Children living at the Provincial Social Welfare and Children's Center receive free dental check-ups and treatment.

In reality, many children and their parents do not pay enough attention to oral care and protection, leading to gum disease and tooth decay. Meanwhile, the Ministry of Health always places oral health care as one of the key tasks in its public health strategy. Hopefully, programs like this will be organized and spread more widely so that underprivileged children can receive free dental care and comprehensive health protection.

Source: https://baodaklak.vn/xa-hoi/202509/gieo-yeu-thuong-tu-nu-cuoi-c990ffe/