Promoting Oral Health Equity: Yangchun Stomatological Hospital’s "Dental Care for Seniors and Children" Initiative

Promoting Oral Health Equity: Yangchun Stomatological Hospital’s "Dental Care for Seniors and Children" Initiative

​Introduction

As the only county-level public stomatological hospital in Guangdong Province, China, Yangchun Stomatological Hospital launched the public welfare initiative "Dental Care for Seniors and Children" in response to the FDI World Dental Federation’s call to "address oral healthcare inequality among vulnerable populations." Leveraging promotional resources (posters, videos, and educational materials) from the World Oral Health Day campaign, the hospital provides free mobile dental services across Yangchun City, aiming to bridge the urban-rural healthcare gap and improve oral health outcomes for elderly residents, children, and disadvantaged groups. The initiative has gained widespread recognition for its innovation, inclusivity, and social impact.

​I. Project Overview: Goals and Service Scope

The "Dental Care for Seniors and Children" initiative focuses on delivering free, high-quality oral healthcare to rural seniors, low-income families, and children.

• ​Service Coverage: Reached 17 townships (subdistricts), benefiting over ​40,000 beneficiaries (January 2023 – March 2025).
• ​Core Services:
  • ​Children: Caries prevention (pit and fissure sealing, early caries filling, topical fluoride application).
  • ​Seniors: Periodontal disease prevention, geriatric oral care, and oral health education.
  • ​All Patients: Establishment of electronic health records for long-term follow-up.
• ​Long-Term Vision: Serve at least ​50,000 beneficiaries by the end of 2025 and build a sustainable local public health brand.

Key Objectives:

1. Address oral healthcare disparities among vulnerable groups, aligning with the FDI’s global advocacy.
2. Promote a "prevention-first" approach to reduce oral disease prevalence.
3. Enhance international visibility of grassroots oral health practices in China through applying for FDI awards.

​II. Innovative Practices and Implementation Strategies

​1. Mobile Healthcare Outreach: Breaking Geographical Barriers

• ​Mobile Dental Clinics: Equipped with CT scanners, portable treatment units, and AI diagnostic tools, these clinics provide on-site examinations, cleanings, fillings, and imaging services directly to villages, senior care centers, and schools.
• ​Full-Cycle Financial Support: Eligible patients receive free treatments funded by medical insurance reimbursements and public welfare funds.
• ​2024 Upgrade Plan: Expand the fleet with additional CT-equipped mobile units to improve screening and treatment efficiency.

​2. Multi-Stakeholder Collaboration: Policy, Technology, and Resource Integration

• ​Government Leadership: The Yangchun Municipal Government has integrated the initiative into its ​public welfare initiatives, with cross-departmental support from the Health Bureau, Medical Insurance Bureau, and Civil Affairs Bureau.
• ​Technical Partnerships: Collaborate with experts from Southern Medical University Stomatological Hospital, Guangdong Stomatological Association, and Guangxi Medical University for training and technical guidance.
• ​Community Engagement: Township governments, village committees, and schools assist in site coordination and awareness campaigns, fostering a ​**"government-hospital-community" tripartite model**.

​3. Technology-Driven Precision Care

• ​Digital Diagnostic Tools: Mobile CT vans enable ​**"one-minute imaging diagnosis"**, while robotic-assisted dental implant systems have performed over 200 precise surgeries.
• ​AI and Telemedicine: A digital platform tracks patient health data and facilitates remote consultations with tertiary hospital experts.

III. Recent World Oral Health Day Activities

​(1) Village-Based Charity Clinics: "Dental Care for Seniors and Children" Initiative

These events aimed to raise oral health awareness, provide on-site dental screenings (with AI-assisted diagnostics), and deliver treatments. By bringing healthcare to rural areas, the clinics helped seniors, low-income families, and extremely impoverished households establish health records while offering preventive and therapeutic services such as fillings, cleanings, periodontal treatments, and fluoride applications.

Event 1

• ​Date & Time: March 20, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• ​Location: Zhonggang Village Committee, Mashui Town, Yangchun City

Event 2

• ​Date & Time: March 21, 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
• ​Location: Chunwan Town Village Committee, Yangchun City

​(2) 2025 "Oral Health for Overall Well-being" School Outreach & World Oral Health Day Event

Aligned with the March 20 World Oral Health Day theme, this activity was held at Yifu Primary School to promote oral health education and provide preventive interventions for students, including pit and fissure sealing, early caries filling, and the creation of personalized oral health records. Educational materials on dental prevention were also distributed.

• ​Date & Time: March 13–19, 9:00 AM – 5:00 PM (Daily)
• ​Location: Yifu Primary School, Hexi Subdistrict, Yangchun City

​(3) Health Pledge Photo Campaign

To celebrate World Oral Health Day, the public was invited to participate in a photo campaign by taking selfies with customized health pledge cards and posters at Yangchun Stomatological Hospital and its branches. Free oral health consultations were provided to encourage broader engagement with dental wellness.

• ​Date: March 20 – April 30
• ​Locations: Yangchun Stomatological Hospital (Main Branch) and All Satellite Clinics