SNS and INAIPI Carry Out Oral Health Drives in Salcedo and Villa Tapia
Oral checkups, protective kits and parent workshops reached early childhood centers in the Northeast. Here are the details.
Key points
- Seven early childhood centers in Salcedo and Villa Tapia were visited.
- Each child's mouth was checked, and cavity cases were referred to the provincial Public Network.
- Oral protection kits were handed out and oral hygiene talks were offered to parents.
- The drive is part of the SNS Cavity-Free Program (Programa Libre de Caries).
The National Health Service (Servicio Nacional de Salud, SNS), together with the National Institute for Comprehensive Early Childhood Care (INAIPI), carried out several oral health drives in the municipalities of Salcedo and Villa Tapia, in the Hermanas Mirabal province. The goal was to raise awareness about oral care from early childhood.
The drives were run through the SNS Northeast Regional Service, at Comprehensive Early Childhood Care Centers (CAIPI) and Childhood and Family Care Centers (CAFI) in both municipalities.
In total, seven centers were visited. At each one, children received an oral checkup. Those with cavities were identified and referred to Public Network centers in the province. Oral protection kits were also distributed, and oral hygiene talks were offered to the parents who accompanied the children.
Dr. Alfonsina Saba, provincial coordinator of Oral Health, and Dr. Patricia Santiago, national dentistry technician at INAIPI, took part in the drives. They were supported by SNS dentists from the Northeast region.
The activity is part of the Cavity-Free Program (Programa Libre de Caries) run by the SNS Dentistry Directorate. The program aims to bring oral care messages to every generation, from children and teens to adults and older adults, with special attention to pregnant women and children.
Why it matters
Families in Salcedo and Villa Tapia gained access to oral checkups for their children and guidance on oral care at the childcare centers.