National Oral Health Survey

The Survey started in Port Vila today (it has already begun in other parts of Vanuatu). I'm part of a team visiting schools this week. 

First stop, Fresh Water School, a huge school in a lower decile part of Port Vila. 

 The juniors are all at assembly in the open sided hall where we will set up shop.

 Each dentist works with a recorder to complete the examination, and others fill out a questionnaire for each child.

 At lunch time, it was bedlam, as the children all crowded around to see what was going on. Poor Rebecca and Jessica are trying to work somewhere in this mob. Several of the little ones were quite frightened, and we had to reassure them we had no injections to give them. Most have not had any dental treatment in their lives before. We saw lots of decayed teeth - oral hygiene and good diet is very lacking in some places.

 Good team spirit in the bus on the way back to the office at the end of a tiring first day.

 Day 2, at Central School this time. We have a clinic to use at this school so it's much quieter to work in. So quiet, this little guy fell asleep in the chair! The condition of teeth is much here, but still needs improvement. This school has a nurse who is giving plenty of good oral education, but for many it is too late - it needs to start at pre-school.