Oral Care Project Launched in Cambodia, a Country Where 99% of Children's Cavities Go Untreated

Japan Heart (Taito-ku, Tokyo; Chairperson: Haruna Yoshioka), an international medical NGO originating in Japan, has launched an oral care project in Cambodia. The organization will formally begin activities aimed at improving Quality of Life (QOL) through oral care and reducing treatment side effects for long-term inpatients.

The background for this new initiative lies in the lack of toothbrushing habits, a severe shortage of dentists, and a culture where oral diseases are relatively neglected, with a common mindset of 'visit a clinic only when it hurts, and just pull the tooth.' In fact, data for 6-year-olds in Cambodia shows a stark gap compared to Japan: while the cavity prevalence rate is 97%, the untreated rate remains at 99% (Source: Cambodian National Oral Health Survey 2011).

Within Japan Heart's pediatric medical centers, challenges existed regarding the deterioration of oral conditions and the risk of infection accompanying long-term hospitalization, treatments, and surgeries. To address this, Japan Heart will strengthen oral management before and after surgery and provide intensive oral care during treatment for patients at high risk of side effects. Additionally, by utilizing the hospitalization period, they will support the establishment of toothbrushing habits and foster the children's ability to protect their own health.

Furthermore, the organization plans to develop awareness campaigns for oral care and promote toothbrushing habits to raise consciousness across the entire country. Moving forward, by working both in medical settings and local communities, Japan Heart aims for the sustainable establishment of oral care.

This project will be led by Dr. Naoko Kishi, an oral surgeon who has been responsible for the 'Comprehensive Cleft Lip and Palate Treatment Project' in Myanmar. The initiative is being implemented with support from Ono Pharmaceutical Co., Ltd.

[Comment from Dr. Naoko Kishi, Oral Surgeon] 'In Japan, it is well-known that oral care plays a crucial role in post-operative wound healing, shortening hospital stays, and preventing infections like pneumonia. However, in Cambodia, awareness is still very low. I hope to help medical staff, children, and their families understand its importance, and contribute to making their daily lives a little more cheerful.'

[Profile] Born in 1975. Born with a cleft lip and palate, she decided to become an oral surgeon after learning as a student that people in developing countries with the same condition were unable to receive treatment. She began her activities at Japan Heart's Myanmar base in 2013 and has continued her support activities at Japan Heart's medical sites since 2024 while working at Hiroshima University.