Free dental care reaches 750 children
On the morning of September 13, the Lam Dong Association for Supporting Poor Patients, People with Disabilities and Protecting Children's Rights, in cooperation with Australia's Smile Outreach Foundation, launched a program providing free dental examinations and treatment for children across the province.
Bringing free dental care closer to children
A 35-member team of doctors, dentists and volunteers from the Smile Outreach Foundation carried out dental screenings, provided treatment and medicines, and offered free oral health consultations to children with disabilities and students at Huynh De Shelter and local schools.
The program runs from September 13 to 19 and provides free dental examinations and treatment for around 750 children with disabilities and primary and lower-secondary school students in Binh Thuan Ward, Cam Ly - Da Lat Ward and Tuy Phong Commune.
In addition to examinations and treatment, the children receive guidance on proper oral hygiene, including how to choose and use suitable toothbrushes and toothpaste and maintain daily dental care habits.
Screening shows that common oral health problems among school-age children include tooth decay, gingivitis and misaligned teeth.
The program also aims to help parents and students better understand the importance of early detection and prevention of dental diseases.
A three-year community healthcare initiative
The program is part of the “Healthcare Support for Children's Smiles” project, jointly implemented by the Lam Dong Association for Supporting Poor Patients, People with Disabilities and Protecting Children's Rights and the Smile Outreach Foundation of Australia.
In 2026, the project is being implemented in Lam Dong for the third consecutive year, with total funding of approximately VND1.8 billion provided by the Australian organization.
Through the program, the organizers hope to raise community awareness of oral health, help children receive early detection and treatment for dental conditions, and ultimately improve their health and quality of life.
Over the two-year period from 2024 to 2025, the “Healthcare Support for Children's Smiles” project, funded by Australia's Smile Outreach Foundation, provided dental examinations and treatment, scholarships and gifts to nearly 1,000 children with disabilities and primary and lower-secondary school students in Lam Dong.
The project has helped children with disabilities and those living in disadvantaged areas gain earlier access to dental care, while encouraging children, families and schools to take a more proactive approach to oral disease prevention and health care from the school years onward.