IN-THE-BUSH:
OUTBACK DENTISTRY FOR LAYPERSONS
We invite motivated persons of all backgrounds to be Community Dental Health Assistants.
After years of refining our program, we have come to a point of unmatched simplicity that holds great promise for global replication—due to Povidone Iodine's (PI) amazing features.
PI along with Baking Soda (BS) and Saliva Rinsing are ideal for remote regions and poor communities without any access to dental care services or products.
1. PI has incontestable scientific evidence that, with multiple applications, controls tooth decay.
2. PI provides relief of mild to moderate pain when combined with fluoride varnish.
3. PI is available in all pharmacies and many other outlets.
4. PI (and BS) are extremely inexpensive in the tiny quantities required.
5. PI is amazingly simple and quick to apply.
6. PI works well in a wet mouth environment.
7. PI needs no costly or difficult-to-find medical gloves since hands do not touch the lips or mouth.
8. PI application simplifies infection control safety.
9. PI monthly community "Save-Your-Teeth" gatherings are a powerful motivational strategy.
10. PI, for all these reasons, holds great promise for global replication—our ultimate goal!
CAUTION: PI, in the context of ITB, functions as a Cavity Control Solution (CCS)— our official term. PI must never be called by its chemical name in our context, otherwise people will buy their own: use it too frequently or in excess—both having serious consequences. Its chemical name is only disclosed to medical persons needing to know; dispensed by CDHAs in unit-dosing per each need.
Sensitive Cavities are cleaned and treated with PI and sealed in Fluoride Varnish—repeated every 4 to 7 days until all sensitivity resolves.
Healthy Teeth and Gums Depend on PI monthly treatments—daily Baking Soda and Saliva Rinsing, Swishing, Brushing morning and night, combined with essential Diet Modification. These activities are best done via Monthly Community "Save-Your-Teeth" gatherings promoted by community leaders—everyone learns and gets treated together which establishes great confidence and acceptance.
Baking Soda Rinses; Saliva Swishing: Saliva Is Our Best Friend—it is the best medicine for teeth by making them more resistant to decay—absolutely free—always available—never out of stock. Before sleep and after breakfast: put a tiny pinch of BS on your toothbrush and gently brush your GUMS & Teeth until your mouth is full of watery saliva. Swish mildly for 2-5 minutes—do not swallow. Do salt water rinses for mild infections. Promptly clean food traps with floss picks.
NOW DO IT & TEACH IT!
Opening Cavities for "Self-Cleansing."
For little costs, motivated CDHA's can learn to painlessly widen deep cavities (with a DIY tool) so they can be kept clean with a toothbrush. This allows saliva to flow into deep cavities to keep them arrested so they cannot grow bigger. This permits the other treatments—along with diet modification, to more effectively keep larger cavities from growing. CDHA's can also remove unsightly discolored decay from front teeth resulting in happier smiles.
Diet Modification—Especially Avoid Sugary Foods, Drinks, and Cracker type processed foods—especially sodas which are highly acidic (the worst of all drinks). Tooth Decay is caused by consuming acid-producing foods and drinks; they create cavities which grow deeper until a tooth dies. Result? Pain, infection, tooth loss. If diet changes are too difficult, at least rinse your mouth vigorously with water immediately after eating and drinking anything.
Accountability: CDHAs should be accountable to a “local” health official to whom they refer those with serious medical issues and to whom we ship fluoride varnish through national dental suppliers.
For detailed course content: Email Gerry@dentalcareforall.org / Call+19562801708 (WA)