DENTAL FUND
Cavities are the most prevalent chronic disease among children in Armenia. Empirical studies have documented that: 1) the average 5-year old child in Armenia has eight decayed, missing or filled primary teeth; 2) between the ages of 14 and 17 years old, the average child continues to experience dental decay at the rate of one permanent tooth per year; 3) almost 90% of all 12-year-old children in Armenia have cavities; and, 4) only 20% of Armenian 18-year-olds still have all of their teeth. Unquestionably, dental hygiene problems are more problematic among institutionalized children.
To address these dental issues, SOAR’s Dental Fund was created in September 2015 and is overseen by a team of dental experts.
- Dental clinic construction. SOAR constructs and outfits dental suites and clinics to offer the orphaned children in Armenia consistent and quality access to dental care. A dental suite was renovated at Kharberd Orphanage and a dental clinic was constructed at the Our Lady of Armenia (OLA) Center in Gyumri. The Gyumri Clinic provides free dental services to the elderly and all orphaned children free of charge.
- Recruiting dental professionals to volunteer at the OLA Summer Camp. The OLA Camp is held in Tsaghgadzor annually for approximately 12 weeks. During each of four (4) 16-day sessions, approximately 200 orphaned and otherwise underprivileged children visit the Camp. Overseen by SOAR-Detroit, we actively seek dentists and dental assistants who are able to volunteer for at least one week each summer.
- Procure dental supplies. Our Dental Fund experts identify outlets for humanitarian donations of dental supplies. When appropriate, these goods are procured and shipped to Armenia.
View Dental Fund Annual Reports Here
DENTAL FUND UPDATES
2024 Totals
In 2024, the dental clinic served 294 patients.
Female – 184
Male – 110
Number of patients by centers:
OLA – 47
SMFCSC – 95
Artsakh – 42
Little Prince – 28
TC – 11
Community – 71
September 2024
Six residents from Warm Hearth received much needed dental services and care.
September 2024
Renovations at the dental clinic and a new dental chair installed.
May – July 2023
During May-July 2023, the SOAR Dental Clinic served 152 patients; 85 from childcare facilities and 67 from the community.
January – March 2023
During January-March 2023, the SOAR Dental Clinic served 155 patients; 128 from childcare facilities and 27 from the community.
April 2023
Portable X-ray machine for the SOAR Dental Clinic funded by the Harold and Josephine Gulamerian Armenian Orphan Fund.
March 2023
A new smile for a student at Our Lady of Armenia Annie Bezikian Center in Kanaker!
September – November 2022
131 patients from SOAR supported facilities and from the surrounding communities received dental care during the months of September – November.
April-July 2022
SOAR Dental Clinic serviced 45 patients from SOAR supported facilities, Families of Fallen Soldiers, and the community.
February-March 2022
56 patients received dental care during the month of February and 50 patients received dental care during the month of March.
January 2022
29 patients from the SOAR Transitional Center, Shirak Marz, Families of Fallen Soldiers, and the community were served.
December 2021
41 patients received dental care during the month of December
November 2021
52 patients from Our Lady of Armenia, Shirak Marz, and the community were served.
October 2021
48 patients received dental care during the month of October
September 2021
73 patients from Our Lady of Armenia, Shirak Marz, and the community were served. Dr. Sunny from Fresno was there to help!
March 2021
111 patients received dental care during the 1st quarter of 2021
December 2020
Residents from Warm Hearth receive dental care
November 2020
After the delay in services due to Covid, the clinic is back in operation and serviced 46 patients for free in November, including 10 from Artsakh.
February 2020
During the month, 67 patients received free dental care
January 2020
During the month, 56 patients received free dental care
July 2019
Continuing work at the SOAR Dental Clinic
SOAR’s 2Q2019 project report “Dental Care for 235 Orphans in Armenia” is live on GlobalGiving!
Check it out HERE.
One of the main missions provided through the SOAR Dental Clinic is to raise awareness among disadvantaged children about proper care of their teeth and how to protect and to keep their teeth strong and healthy. Also to visit their dentist for regular checkups.
With that in mind, the dental team decided to organize visit on February 26, 2018 for a checkup to the children at their care facilities. The first facility was Nansen boarding school in Gyumri.
After a presentation by the dental hygienist about this topic the doctor examined 56 children (During the exam, the teeth were cleaned, flossed, and checked for cavities) and made a list of further needs of the children. Shortly after the toothbrushes and relevant items were distributed to the children.
A huge shipment of medical and dental equipment and supplies through Project Cure!
