Barriers to oral health in impoverished areas of the world

Leonard Vieru Start Date: Apr 14, 2018 - End Date: Oct 13, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Volunteer Trip
  • Uganda
  • Vietnam
  • Kenya

My Travel Story

by: Leonard Vieru Start Date: Apr 14, 2018 - End Date: Oct 13, 2018
  • Educational/Research Trip
  • Professional Development
  • Volunteer Trip
Though gum disease cost the USA alone over $400 billion in 2010.
Oral diseases run much more rampant in impoverished areas of the world and can have devastating consequences on ones health that translates to lower life expectancy and economic strain on governments.
As a dental student soon to graduate I have developed a fascination with the barriers to health and would like to research and gain an insight into whether people are truly "uneducated" about the importance of oral health, or other forces exist. By travelling to community dental centres I will not only flex my skills as a dental professional in sub-ideal conditions, but will able to document first hand experiences in what is responsible for early tooth loss and decline in health in these areas of the world.
I hope that my observations will be put into use through the research team at the university into exploring alternative and sustainable methods of delivering oral health care and beyond.
  • Uganda
  • Vietnam
  • Kenya