Within the Yushu Prefecture there are Dentists but widespread poverty prevents access to this service. The result is that people can't get the treatment and advice they need or even afford a toothbrush and toothpaste. This results in:

• Avoidable dental pain, abscess and infection
• Unnecessary gum disease, tooth decay and loss of teeth
• Difficulty eating and talking, poor aesthetics/appearance
• Reduced quality of life and even depression

We aim to provide the following to the local people living in absolute poverty:

• Basic dental/oral examination
• Oral health education programme (particularly to children)
• Pain relief, extractions where indicated
• Basic restorations
• Provision of oral health products (e.g. toothbrush, fluoride toothpaste)
• Scaling and gum treatment
• Dentures to assist with eating/speaking

We achieve this through the following initiatives:

• Annual team of volunteer western dentists
• Sponsoring students to study dentistry at university who will work in the hospital upon qualification
• Training Rokpa medical students in basic dental techniques and discussing clinical conditions when encountered

To date we have seen over 500 patients.