In Cambodia, over 90 percent of preschool-aged children suffer from tooth decay, making it one of the highest rates of dental caries in Southeast Asia. To combat this alarming issue, Dr. Bethy Turton, an assistant professor at the Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) and co-founder of the University of Puthisastra’s Collaborating Centre for Innovation in Population Oral Health (CIPO), is leading efforts to enhance the country’s healthcare infrastructure and increase access to dental care.
In August 2024, GSDM resident Dr. Chaudry (Umar) Asghar DPH 25 traveled to Cambodia to work with CIPO colleagues in providing triaged dental care to children with disabilities in underserved areas. This process involved assessing the complexity of dental cases and determining the most appropriate treatments. In addition to his clinical duties, Dr. Asghar helped develop specialized oral health education materials for children who are hard of hearing or visually impaired.
Dr. Turton expressed her excitement about involving GSDM residents in these international efforts, noting that it creates a dynamic environment for shared learning and cross-cultural exchange. Dr. Asghar, reflecting on his experience, said, “It was an eye-opening opportunity to provide high-quality care in a resource-limited setting, and it was inspiring to see how eager the Cambodian children were to receive treatment, despite their dental issues.”
One of the key components of Turton’s team’s work in Cambodia is the creation and distribution of oral health education materials tailored to children with disabilities. Research has shown that children who are hard of hearing or visually impaired often experience greater anxiety and discomfort in dental environments compared to their peers. To address this, Dr. Asghar and the CIPO team have worked to develop resources that are accessible, including translating materials into Khmer (the official language of Cambodia) and Braille. Furthermore, the materials feature photographs of local Cambodian children, which studies suggest can help children feel more at ease in dental settings.
“There are a lot of global oral health education materials, but few that specifically cater to children with disabilities,” said Dr. Asghar. “Explaining dental procedures beforehand is proven to reduce anxiety, and we believe these materials will help bridge the gap between children and dental care providers.”
Dr. Asghar’s fieldwork has profoundly shaped his perspective on dental care. “This experience has broadened my understanding of what it means to provide care, especially when faced with limited resources,” he said. “Being able to deliver the same level of care with fewer tools really pushes you as a dental professional.”
Looking ahead, Dr. Asghar hopes to return to Cambodia to follow up on the children he treated and continue contributing to the ongoing efforts to improve pediatric oral health in the region. “This fieldwork challenges you to step outside your comfort zone and adapt to unique challenges,” he added. “You never know when you’ll encounter a situation that requires this kind of flexibility in care.”
Through these initiatives, Turton and her team are making critical strides to address Cambodia’s pediatric dental health crisis, offering much-needed care and educational resources to children and families across the country.
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