Dentists from around the world are working together to reduce the incidence of dental disease in children, a problem that affects those in both the poorest and richest of countries.
The Global Child Dental Health Taskforce (GCDHT) includes dental practitioners and advisors working in eight countries including the U.S., Australia, Brazil, China, India, Mexico, South Africa and Philippines and was formed in January 2006 to help more than one billion children and their parents.
The initiative aims to increase awareness about the prevalence and danger of poor dental health and the ramifications it can have later on in a child's life. Dental caries is just one problem that affects over half of children in many countries yet is one that can be treated without the need for suffering.
Professor Bedi, director of the GCDHT said: "This year, senior dental deans have been invited to participate, and we are thrilled that 14 deans from ten countries will attend, from the Philippines to the United States of America."
GCHDT's aims are to vastly improve the dental health of children by developing Public Private Partnerships, coordinating services, national educational programmes and by promoting evidence-based oral health messages.
The program is supported by the World Health Organization (WHO).
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