In the outlying areas of Mexico and throughout Haiti there is great need by underserved populations for dental care. This project, falling under Rotary's "Maternal and Child Health" area of focus, is primarily targeted towards children in schools and orphanages. The project is for two clinics in Haiti and two in Mexico. Project funds will be used to provide the dental supplies necessary to provide this treatment. Club member and other Rotarian and volunteer dentists provide the treatments. Rotarians from Irvine and other clubs assist with transportation, setup, translation, dental education, instrument sterilization and other tasks.
MEXICO CLINICS
The Irvine Rotary Club, working with the Club Rotario Ensenada Calafia, the Ensenada school district and Dental Care for Children, which coordinates volunteer dental professionals, a one-day dental clinic for all of the children in a selected school. In each clinic, the dental team treats 50-100 children, providing from $25,000 to $60,000 worth of free services.
HAITI CLINICS
Irvine Rotarians and Dental Care for Children, provide a two-day dental clinic for children in a local orphanage and community center. In each clinic, the dental team treats 150-175 patients, providing from $60,000 to $120,000 worth of free services. Combined, the two Haiti clinics
TOTAL SERVICES PROVIDED: Approximately $240,000
EXPENSES
Dental supplies are estimated at around 8% of provided services. This is the national average from the American Dental Association. Irvine Rotary will provide $7,500 towards the supplies. The remainder will be solicited from volunteers and others wishing to contribute. All supplies will be purchased in the United States and transported to the clinics. Dental Care for Children will handle the purchase and transportation. All funds will be controlled by Irvine Rotary and only released upon proper receipts and verification by Rotarian members.
Addendum to Project Description (added after the project was signed)
Project Description
The project has been modified to eliminate the Haiti portion of the original project. A separate bank account, as required for an international project, has been established and will be used for financial transactions (deposits and expenditures) with regard to P-321.
The community surrounding Ensenada is comprised of many families who have migrated from rural parts of southern Mexico to seek work. The cities infrastructure and support services are not able to keep up with the demand. The population growth is outstripping the ability of local social services to provide adequate care.
The Irvine Rotary Club, working with the Club Rotario Ensenada Calafia, the Ensenada School District and Dental Care for Children (DCFC) created a program in 2005 for school children in the poorest areas; whether in existing schools or schools in new areas.
Irvine Rotary members, other Rotarians and volunteer dental professionals travel to Ensenada twice a year, Fall and Spring, to hold a one-day dental clinic open to all children in a selected school. In one day, the dental team treats between 50 and 100 children, providing up to $60,000 worth of free services.
Dental Care for Children supplies all supplies and equipment for 12 complete dental stations. They coordinate the dentists from the United States as well as the USC Dental School student volunteers. The Ensenada Calafia Rotary Club coordinates the Ensenada-based dental volunteers.
There are four components to each clinic:
Restorative treatment of existing problems:
The clinics are equipped to offer the same services a patient would expect to find in a general dentist's office. Each patient that participates is given a comprehensive oral exam, including digital x-rays when indicated. Comprehensive treatment may include:
Digital X-rays
Cleanings
Scaling and root planing
Composite & amalgam fillings
Stainless steel crowns
Pulpotomies
Root Canals
Extractions
Composite veneers
Dental sealants (preventative)
Fluoride treatment (preventative)
Other necessary treatments
Preventative treatment (sustainability):
Sealants and/or fluoride applications are provided to most patients to help prevent or reduce future problems and increase the sustainability of the provided treatments.
Oral health education (sustainability):
This consists of explaining proper dental care for all family members. A toothbrush and toothpaste is provided to each child.
School improvement:
This portion varies based upon what is identified by the Ensenada Calafia Rotary club. Past improvements have included painting, furnishing sports equipment, planting shrubs and/or trees, contributions of clothing, school supplies, toys and books.
Scheduled Dates:
Fall Clinic: October 26, 2013
Spring Clinic: March 22, 2014
School selection is arranged by Rotary Club Ensenada Calafia approximately 2 weeks prior to each trip.
Rotarian involvement
Rotarians from Irvine and Ensenada Calafia Rotary clubs participate in the planning and execution of the clinics. Planning involves working with the Ensenada School District officials to select the elementary school most in need.
On the day of the clinic, Rotarian dental professionals direct and assist the professional volunteers in identifying and treating patients.
Club members from the two clubs, normally around 10 to 20, help with check-in, check-out, record keeping, translation, scheduling, dental assistance, hygiene assistance, oral health education, sterilization and selected school improvement projects.
Host Club Information
Club Rotario Ensenada Calafia - #31897, D4100
Primary Contact:
PDG Lupita Creo
Calle 10a. num 259-3
Ensenada, BC, México 22800
Office: 011 52 (646) 174 0951
Mobile: 0446461715869
lupitacreo@hotmail.com
Project Benefits and Impacts
How many people will benefit from this project?
Each clinic treats between 70 and 100 children. When there is time, we also treat other family members.
What are the expected long-term community impacts of the project?
Children who are in pain do not participate in school, denying them a basic education.
How can this project be sustained? Will this be a one-time or an ongoing project?
Like many health projects, simply treating a patient is not necessarily sustainable. Sustainability comes from the educational component of each project.
The overall program is ongoing but each project/clinic treats a different school population. Historically with other dental projects in a more controlled environment (such as an orphanage), continued treatment, education and attention to oral hygiene greatly improves patient health. The transient nature surrounding Ensenada, coupled with the influx of new, uneducated and impoverished families makes it difficult to monitor overall effectiveness.
Project Finances
See attached documention regarding funding and budget
Administration
The condition of a separate account to handle the funds for an International project is in place.
Project promotion and publicity
Announcements are made well in advance of the clinic to call for volunteers. Dental professionals volunteer from the USC Dental School as well as dentists from Irvine, Ensenada and elsewhere.
During the clinic, all students and family members receive a Rotary wheel sticker at check-in. The wheel appears in photos but also helps identify students and family members.
After each clinic the results, Irvine Rotary's Public Relations team will submit photos and stories to the Orange County Register and Irvine World News. The story and photos will be posted on the club's website and social media pages (samples attached).
The project will be added to the District 5320 database of projects as well as the Project Showcase at Rotary International.
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