Together with SOS Children’s Villages, Extra® has been running a successful Oral Health Programme that is transforming lives in Botswana. In 2022 we implemented the inception of school health clubs, strengthened village health communities and prepared for the transition out of the current communities.
Francistown is Botswana’s second-largest city with an economy built on old gold mines and more recently agriculture. Although a growing city, Francistown shares similar issues as other towns in the country. The COVID-19 pandemic exposed the country’s economic structural flaws, with high unemployment, lack of economic diversity and access to quality education being key issues. Gender-based violence, HIV infection and adolescent pregnancy are also increasingly prevalent.
*Elizabeth and her family live on the outskirts of the city, she supports her family by taking in laundry and her three sons attend a local primary school. This year, one of the boy’s school days was quite different because SOS Children’s Villages visited to conduct oral health screenings.
As well as the screening, James and his brothers took part in a fun lesson all about how to keep their mouths healthy. James and one of his brothers, like 87% of children screened this year, were found to have some cavities that needed filling. They have been referred to a regional dental clinic for treatment.
James will be one of the many children to try out the new mobile dentistry chairs, recently installed at the dental clinic thanks to support from Chew for Change. Having two new chairs will significantly improve waiting times for patients. Prompt treatment will result in the healthy self-esteem of children and prevent more serious health issues in the future. So, Elizabeth’s boys can focus on being children; learning to read and write, playing football and sometimes helping their mother to make dinner.
Elizabeth recently joined her local steering committee at the suggestion of a friend who enjoyed being part of the group. The steering committee is set up to lead in the promotion of good oral health within the community. They encourage twice-daily brushing, distribute toothbrushes and toothpaste, as well as liaising with local health clinics to promote oral health care as seriously as diseases such as HIV and malaria.
Thanks to support from the Chew for Change campaign, Mars has funded the screening of over 16,000 children in Botswana this year. As well as improving the health of individual children, the partnership between Mars and SOS Children’s Villages has enabled strong advocacy for oral health within the government.
This story is based on the real lives of local children and families, although we have anonymised it for privacy reasons
