“My sons are so different,” Elieth said with a laugh. “Justo needs reminders to brush. But Israel? He’s a brushing enthusiast!”
When Elieth brought her boys, Justo and Israel, to a recent preventive oral health campaign at the Villa Guadalupe Clinic, she expected a simple checkup. But what they experienced was so much more: hands-on learning, important discoveries, and a reminder that their oral health matters.
This 3-session workshop focused on children ages 6 to 12, the first in a series of workshops AMOS is organizing for other groups, including pregnant women, younger children, and patients with chronic illnesses. This campaign is part of our commitment to make preventive care more accessible in vulnerable communities.
Justo, just 10 years old, learned he already has cavities and plaque buildup. But he also walked away with new insights that sparked curiosity and motivation, saying, “I didn’t know baby teeth help guide the permanent ones!” and “I didn’t know food matters so much for your teeth!”
Throughout the day, children and their caregivers explored how nutrition affects oral health. With guidance from Dr. Belinda Forbes (UMC missionary and volunteer dentist) and Dr. Italo Dávila (AMOS dentist), they compared the sugar content in common corner store snacks. Bags filled with measured sugar showed the truth behind everyday treats.
“We learned how to read nutrition labels,” Elieth said, “and that eating healthy doesn’t have to cost more.”
Older children completed a short, written test before and after the sessions to evaluate what they learned. At the end of the last session, Justo’s score was impressively higher than his first, exemplifying the importance of this campaign to make health information available! Younger siblings listened and were included in the activities.
Every child had a dental checkup on-site to assess their oral health and hygiene. Those needing additional care were referred to the AMOS dental office at the Samaritan Clinic, where they received treatment free of charge thanks to generous support from people like you.
Each child received a fluoride varnish treatment and a personal dental health kit, both valuable resources that families often cannot access or afford.
These were beautiful days and made a rather ordinary and sometimes discounted aspect of health full of discovery, laughter, and love, and served as a reminder to families like Elieth’s that their well-being is important and within reach thanks to this campaign.
Thank you for making moments like these possible. Oral health programs in Nicaragua are scarce and undervalued but very much needed. Your support helps promote preventive care and brings hope and healing to children and families who need it most.