VICTORIA, Seychelles — The oral health service is continuing its school-based preventive oral health campaign as part of the ‘Suzy Chang Him Project’. During the April school holidays, the ‘Smile Squad’ is stationed at the Persévérance primary school, ready to help protect children’s teeth. The campaign, which began on April 22, will run until May 9, 2025. Senior dental therapist Adriana Seraphine said the initiative was first launched in 2017 at the Bel Eau school and comprises a group of therapists, known as the Smile Squad, who dedicate their time during school holidays to tackle oral health issues in schools.
So far, the team has visited Bel Eau, La Retraite, and Anse Etoile schools. According to Mrs Seraphine, the campaign aims to provide free oral healthcare and educational sessions for students and parents, explaining the benefits of silver diamine fluoride (SDF) in controlling tooth decay. ‘After Covid-19, we conducted a national oral health survey among children in Seychelles. The results were alarming – many had severely decayed teeth. That is why we started this initiative, especially targeting schools without in-house dental services,’ she said.
So far at Persévérance primary school, over 100 students have been examined, and since the beginning of the ‘Suzy Chang Him Project’, more than 500 students have received dental checks. The focus is on preventive care using silver diamine fluoride and dental sealants, which are quick to apply and ideal for children. Four personnel from the Smile Squad are working at the Persévérance primary school and they see patients from 8am to 2.30pm. A research component is also underway to assess the effectiveness of SDF in the local context.
