In Armenia today, the smile of a child too often hides a silent crisis, a crisis caused by untreated tooth decays.
Tooth decays, often dismissed as a minor concern, affects the vast majority of Armenian children. Left untreated, it can lead to pain, infection, difficulty eating and speaking, lost school days, and long-term health issues. Yet, oral health remains one of the most overlooked aspects of public health in the country. At OHFAR, we are committed to changing that reality.
🎯 Our Ambitious Objective
By 2030, we aim to ensure that no 15-year-old in Armenia suffers from untreated tooth decay.
This goal is not a dream, it is a necessary and achievable mission grounded in public health, social equity, and national well-being.
📌 Our Mission
We exist to enhance the oral health of communities in Armenia by delivering accessible and comprehensive dental care, launching education programs, and engaging in advocacy. Through this, we aim to foster a culture of prevention and well-being, especially among children.
🌟 Our Vision
We envision a future where every individual in Armenia enjoys optimal oral health, thanks to universal access to quality dental services and a supportive society that values prevention over treatment.
📊 The Harsh Reality: Why This Matters
The numbers paint a stark picture, in 2022:
- 91.7% of children in Armenia suffer from caries in their temporary teeth
- Among 12-year-olds, the rate of permanent tooth decay reaches 87.5%
- Periodontal lesions are present in nearly half (47.8%) of children.
Additionally, COAF (Children of Armenia Fund) reported that in its supported communities, 95% of children under 18 hade untreated tooth decay in 2020.
Despite these alarming numbers:
- There is no national oral health policy.
- No national database or electronic dental record system exists.
- Oral health is not officially recognized as a public health priority.
- There is no national committee overseeing oral health.
🔧 Our Commitment to Change
We cannot and will not wait for the problem to solve itself. At OHFAR, we are working to fill these gaps in close collaboration with health authorities, dental professionals, academic institutions, international organizations, and fellow non-profits.
We are building a movement—a national awakening to the power and importance of oral health. This includes:
- Mobile dental clinics that travel to underserved villages
- Preventive care programs in schools
- Training local providers and community advocates
- Promoting a national database and electronic health record system for dental care
- Developing digital health solutions for oral health in Armenia
- Advocating for the development and implementation of a national oral health strategy
📣 A Call to Action
Every child deserves to grow up free of pain, with the ability to smile, learn, and thrive. We believe that a healthy mouth is not a privilege, it is a right.
Let’s make Armenia the first country in the region where children no longer suffer from untreated tooth decay. Join us in this mission, whether as a partner, supporter, donor, or advocate.
Together, we can give Armenia’s children more than just dental care, we can give them a reason to smile.
