Happy Baby Smiles of the
South Pacific
South Pacific Smiles
Dr. Rhoda Bule , Irene Papatheodorakis & Laura Righetto
Project Definition
Project Name
Happy baby smiles of the South Pacific
Project Purpose
The purpose of the project is to provide expecting, new, and old mothers
with knowledge of dental related issues to empower and allow them to manage
and/or prevent dental related issues in the future, not only for their children but
for themselves. Common dental issues should be discussed with mothers that
arise through pregnancy and infancy, and address any issues or concerns they
may have. The project aims to instill effective oral hygiene habits and educate
mothers to allow them to make proper oral hygiene and dietary choices, which
will hopefully be instilled into their children by having a positive role model
exhibiting healthy behaviours.
In doing this, both the mother and future generations will be educated
about oral hygiene, dental issues and the effect of unhealthy diets, which will be
reflected in future evaluations. Ideally this project will have continuing support
well into the future to provide mothers and their children with the proper dental
related education, and also open up an avenue to communication between oral
health professionals and concerned, confused or unaware mothers.
Project Justification
Early childhood caries (ECC) is a particularly virulent form of dental
caries that is characterised by an overwhelming infectious challenge and is
associated with the increase of sugars within a diet, lack of fluoride, plaque
accumulation and a changing diversity within the oral environment. Eventual
destruction of the primary dentition is brought on by sugars, carbohydrates,
acids and bacteria known as streptococcus mutans. Thus, ECC has many risk
factors, which include biological, behavioural and social determinants. This
bacterial disease can be modified by diet and is preventable through
toothbrushing, fluoride, and appropriate bottle-feeding practices.
In 2007, the World Bank and UNSW HRH Knowledge Hub calculated that
there are only 17 dentistry personnel out of a population of 247 262. Although
there are 210 village health workers, 263 health management and support
workers, 344 professional nurses and 51 midwifes, there is no guidance or oral
health promotion provided by these health professionals (Refer to appendix 1).
With this, our program aims to promote and improve the oral health of mothers
and their newborns through promotion, prevention and early intervention. Oral
health promotion is best delivered as soon as possible as very few Ni-Van infants
and young children are brought to see a dental professional before the age of
five. With that being said, prevention can be accomplished if all workplaces
involved with children, regardless of discipline, integrate health promotion,
health education and risk reduction into their practice.
Another common detrimental effect on the oral mucosa includes dental
erosion, where the over consumption of fruit juice and carbonated drinks are
given to children. This can eventuate to cause erosion of enamel, leaving it thin
and vulnerable to decay. Prevention and management approaches include
decreased the intake of acidic beverages, drinking through a straw or using a
remineralising agent such as xylitol chewing gum to ultimately treat the
underlying dental issue. Early diagnosis and prevention will help to prevent
damage to permanent teeth, a issue that needs to be addressed with the mothers
(Taji., 2010).
Teaching mothers about the risk factors and consequences of ECC, as well
as dental erosion is essential. At a young age children begin to mimic their
mothers behaviours. Parental knowledge is key to assisting in the prevention of
ECC and dental erosion as they can aid in purchasing and cooking the correct
foods for their child as well as thorough oral hygiene techniques that they can
pass on to their children; as they are the most influential people in a child’s life
(Li., & Wang., 2002). Other family members such as grandmothers can also help
improve the oral health status of Vanuatu’s most vulnerable population by
learning more about incorporating oral health promotion and prevention.
Educating mothers on the importance of regular nutritious meals, drinking
optimal levels of water and avoiding frequent between-meal snacking is a
significant primary prevention approach.
IN VANUATU THERE IS NO STATS OR SURVEYS OR FIGURES OF HOW
MUCH DENTAL DISEASE THERE IS… NEED TO COLLECT DATA FOR FUTURE
GENERATIONS … THE PROJECT HAS THE ABILITY TO BE INTEGREATED INTO A
PUBLIC HEALTH SYSTEM THAT IS CURRENTLY NON EXSISTENT.
Sponsors
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Dr Derek Mahony
Dr. Veronica Roller
Dr. Rhoda Bule
South Pacific Smiles Dental Clinic
Volunteers
Project Stakeholders
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South Pacific Smiles Dental Clinic
Dr. Derek Mahony
Dr. Veronica Roller
Dr. Rhoda Bule
Port Vila Hospital?????
Ministry of Health, Vanuatu
Shefa Health??
NZ Aid???
AUS Aid???
Project Objectives
1.0 Objectives for mothers
1.1 Provide sufficient information to educate mothers on preventing ECC
1.2 Provide sufficient information to educate mothers on identifying ECC
1.3 Provide sufficient information to educate mothers on the benefits of a
healthy diet on the oral cavity
1.4 Provide sufficient information on general oral health changes that
need to be made during pregnancy
1.5 Provide sufficient information on the importance of diet, feeding and
breastfeeding as well as the implications on the child if bottle feeding
is carried out incorrectly
1.6 Provide various alternatives for mothers who have limited knowledge
on diet
1.7 Provide mothers with the support they feel is necessary to instill this
behaviour change
1.8 Provide mothers with enough confidence to further educate other
mothers and additional children
1.9 Post questionnaire to see how much the mothers have learnt and how
they value the importance of good oral health and a nutritious diet
1.10 Conduct check ups and intra oral assessments based on risk
determined at the initial appointment every 6 or 12months
1.11 Develop an awareness of Oral health messages for mothers
2.0 Objectives for unborn, newborn and children
2.1 Have influential role models that show them the correct way to
maintain good oral health
2.2 Conduct check ups and intra oral assessments every 6 months
2.3 Develop an awareness of Oral health messages for children
2.4 Adequate oral health in comparison to children that had mothers who
were not previously educated on the effects of poor oral hygiene and
an unhealthy diet
3.0 Project Objectives
3.1 Design and create an education resource for mothers who are in need
of oral health information
3.1.1 Design and distribute an educational pack with pamphlets
to aid the mothers with oral health procedures taught
during the “Happy Baby Smiles of the South Pacific” session
3.1.1.1 Appropriate language choice
3.1.1.2 Appropriate image choice
3.2 Raise interest in oral health and general health in both mothers and
children caregivers
3.3 Raise awareness of the importance of good oral health and diet
3.4 Raise awareness of the implications of poor oral health and diet
3.5 Raise awareness of the implications of bad habits on the oral cavity,
such as thumb sucking, dummy sucking and bottle feeding.
3.6 Strengthen community action through an allied health approach
3.7 Re orient health services where prevention of oral disease is
necessary to create a supportive environment for both mothers and
caregivers.
3.7.1 Inform and involve the public health care workers of the
importance of oral health promotion
3.7.2 Educate the government on the importance of dental
personnel
3.7.3 Meeting FDI world recommendations with workforce
requirements
Project Deliverables
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Development of project by June 2014
Liaise with Port Vila hospital to confirm project
Liaise with Volunteer staff to implement project
Delegate specific roles to volunteer staff
Design of project definition
Program developed and delivered to mothers
Develop resources to leave with mothers
Develop an oral health program to motivate positive behaviours
Develop an oral health program to allow mothers to identify the
consequences of a poor diet and poor oral hygiene practices
Project analysis and evaluation
Modify project in accordance to the results of the analysis and evaluation
outcomes
Project initially based in Port Vila with the prospect for further extension
through out Vanuatu given positive results and success of the program
Potential to be incorporated into existing Health Systems given
appropriate consultation with other stakeholders such as the
government.
Project Scope
Inclusions
 Development and implementation of program “Happy Baby Smiles of the
South Pacific”.
 Project evaluation and analysis
 Hand out resources to mothers and expecting mothers
 Assembling of report
 Research the oral health needs of the target group
 Post project follow up 1 month later
 Monitor the use of resources and project by future volunteers and South
Pacific Smiles staff
Exclusions
 Mothers not expecting children
 Mothers with children that do not fall within the time bracket
 Mothers who do not attend the clinic on the specific date chosen to
promote oral health
 Continued monitoring of the program and resources if volunteers and
South Pacific Smiles staff do not follow up and continue oral health
promotion
Project Assumptions
Constraints
Risks
Appendix
Appendix 1
Health Professionals per 1000 population, by Provinces in Vanuatu, 2012