Larkhall student set to improve dental hygenie of poor in Ecuador

Mar 4 2010 by Gary Fanning, Hamilton Advertiser

A YOUNG Larkhall student is swapping working at the kiosk at ASDA for helping to improve the dental hygiene of poor people in a South American country.

Former St Mary’s Primary pupil Mhairi-Claire Hinds will take part in a humanitarian project to better the oral hygiene and health of Ecuadorians.

The 21-year-old will jet out to the country’s Quito for two weeks on June 13.

Along with colleague Lorna Sturgeon, Mhairi-Claire will participate in the project.

Mhairi-Claire, who works part-time at Hamilton’s ASDA while in her fourth-year at Glasgow Dental School, is looking forward to the experience and challenge.

“In Ecuador, 38 per cent of people live below the poverty line so often dental care is neglected,” she said.

“Access to dental care in third-world countries can be three to five times less available than developed countries.

“In Quito, 95 per cent of children experience tooth decay.

“This figure is increasing due to processed foods being more readily available and low exposure to fluoride.

“Most people only have access to a dentist when one of these clinics are available, with many children not even aware of what a dentist does.”

Mhairi-Claire grew up in Barefield Road where her parents still live.

She went to Holy Cross High School, Hamilton.

She now stays in Ferniegair’s Leven Road.

As part of her dental course, she was required to carry out an elective study.

Mhairi-Claire and Lorna decided to work together on the project.

“We are aiming to improve to patient knowledge of oral hygiene, diet, smoking and alcohol habits to promote health and wellbeing, as well as good oral health,” she said.

“We plan to do this by distributing information leaflets and providing patients with an oral hygiene kit, such as toothbrush and toothpaste.

“We will provide free, high-quality dental treatment to patients in a deprived area who otherwise may not have access to it.

“This may incorporate pain relief, restorations, extractions and oral hygiene instruction, which will allow us to develop our decision-making skills and use our initiative to treat patients.”

Mhairi-Claire expects to be working in a poor area with basic facilities.

“The locals are grateful for the service,” she said.

“We will be based in Quito Medical Centre but the facilities will be very basic so we will have to modify our way of working.

“Communication will also be a problem so we will have to learn some key Spanish phrases before we go.”

The project is set up by charity Anywhere Foundation who rely on donations to provide dental and medical treatment to the needy.

Anyone who wishes to make a donation or sponsor Mhairi-Claire can contact her by email at mchinds57@hotmail.com