Pilot school-station model for school dentistry

The Department of Health and the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City have coordinated to pilot the school-station model in oral health care for students in Districts 1, 5, 6 and Can Gio District. After the pilot period, the two units will organize a preliminary review and draw lessons learned from the implementation to serve as a basis for developing a plan for mass implementation in the next school year and the following years.

A doctor at the Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology in Ho Chi Minh City is examining a student's teeth.

On April 13, the Department of Health and the Department of Education and Training of Ho Chi Minh City organized the opening ceremony of a training program on tooth decay prevention techniques and primary dental care according to the school-station model.

Accordingly, Ho Chi Minh City will establish mobile dental teams, including staff from schools, health stations, medical centers, Ho Chi Minh City Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology or Ho Chi Minh City Central Hospital of Odonto-Stomatology to organize oral health check-ups and preventive treatment for all students studying at 7 primary schools: Tran Hung Dao (District 1), Bau Sen, Minh Dao (District 5), Lam Son, Nguyen Hue (District 6) and Can Thanh, Can Thanh 2 (Can Gio district) twice a year.

Based on the results of the dental screening, school health workers will make a list of students with dental problems that need intervention treatment at the screening session to guide parents and guardians to take their children to dental clinics for examination and treatment. At the same time, they will monitor the results of dental treatment of students studying at the school.

Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Nguyen Anh Dung speaking at the training session

According to Associate Professor, Doctor, Doctor Nguyen Anh Dung, Deputy Director of the Department of Health, the health sector is currently determined to digitally transform, especially in applying it to building health data sources for people. In particular, digital data on oral health care for school-age children will contribute to enriching the health data of the city's people.

The pilot program in 4 districts this time will be the foundation for a wider implementation throughout the city. After the training course ends, the city will conduct mass medical examinations at 5 schools in Districts 1, 5 and Can Gio on April 22. District 6 will conduct medical examinations at the end of May 2024.

“The Board of Directors of the Department of Health hopes that with the professional support of two hospitals specializing in dentistry in the city, localities will establish mobile dental teams to provide oral health care for all students studying at schools in the area,” Associate Professor, Dr. Nguyen Anh Dung emphasized.

THANH SON

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