students in classroom

What We Do

The initiative is a multifaced approach to improving the oral health and well-being of girls of poverty. The initiative includes personalized oral and general health education and training, as well as leadership development.

students teaching

Impact of the Initiative

Improvement in oral health

After one year we saw significant improvements in the oral health of all girls. Dental cavities were reduced by 94% and bleeding gums in 95%.

Improvement of self-esteem

With healthy and pain free smiles the girls were more confident of their appearance and had more positive outlook on life.

Impact on the community

Girls enrolled in our program had huge positive changes in their oral health, and a widespread desire to empower others with what they have learned. The leadership training the initiative provides developed the girls to become oral health advocates for their communities.

First Steps and Leadership

As a first step we assessed each girl’s oral health and conducted individualized oral hygiene training sessions on how to care for teeth and gums. The girls and school staff received training on prevention of oral diseases, as well as education on general health and well-being, including the importance of eating a nutritionally complete and culturally appropriate diet. We also focused on providing leadership training to the students, to empower them to act as oral health advocates in their own communities. Many communities in Kenya do not have access to oral health services, or routine health care. In addition, there is a severe shortage of dental manpower for treatment of existing oral disease, thus in addition to lack of financial resources, any solution that addresses the disparities in oral heath must be prevention-focused.

dentist with patient
Patient flossing

Establishing Sustainability

To attain our goal of establishing a model for a replicable, self-sustained oral health promotion program, local support is crucial. We involved all of Daraja Academy’s staff: Jason and Jenni Doherty (Daraja’s founders), Victoria Gichuhi (Principal), Charles Mbuto (Dean of Academics), Francesca Muthoni (Clinical Officer), and Carol Muraya (Dean of Students).

Other much-needed local supporters are: our Kenyan research collaborator, Dr. Kimathi Mowngera (Kenya Methodist University, Meru), and local dental care provider Marius Ruto (Huruma Dental Clinic).

Books

Drs. Buischi

Drs. Buischi and Loomer at the Premiere of their short film & book launch “Changing Lives – Empowering Girls” NYU Dentistry, April 9th 2019

 

 

 

Koes bookcover

“Your Healthy Mouth, Your Healthy Life”
To learn more, please email Yvonne De Paiva Buischi.

*A book is provided to the Daraja girls with each donation that is made.