While many of us might view a trip to the dentist as a necessary inconvenience, access to quality dental care is a luxury in many parts of the world. Oral health is a vital component of overall well-being, yet it’s often overlooked, especially in regions with limited resources. In Timor-Leste, the gaps in the oral healthcare system are significant, with few dental professionals available and restricted access to services, leaving many communities underserved.
Since gaining independence, Timor-Leste has seen growth in its oral health workforce, now numbering thirteen registered dentists and 46 dental nurses. However, this small workforce still falls far short of the country’s needs. Organisations like Maluk Timor are stepping up to address this gap, focusing on enhancing the skills, knowledge, and capabilities of dental professionals to better serve communities across the nation.
How we’re filling the gap in Timor-Leste’s oral healthcare system
We’re working hard to address the many gaps that exist in Timor-Leste’s oral healthcare system. Our work includes:
- Preventing cavities with Silver Diamine Fluoride. When cavities aren’t treated, they can spread through the mouth, causing ongoing damage and health risks. Silver Diamine Fluoride can stop the cavity-causing bacteria in its tracks. In 2022, Maluk Timor was able to treat 1,008 children across Timor-Leste with SDF.
- Developing competency-based training models. As dental nurses are the main providers of dental healthcare in Timor Leste, it’s crucial that their professional development is thorough. However, limited development capacities have been available to meet this need. We’re working to meet this need with our first module in use with dental nurses.
- Providing clinical expertise and sharing crucial knowledge. We’re able to provide integral support to the clinical services delivered by our partners at Ryder-Cheshire Klibur Domin. We also work closely with other NGO clinics, receiving dental consumables and equipment via Australia and other countries. To date, we’ve supported three oral healthcare partners.
- Delivering public education in oral health. We developed and ran a social media campaign with cash prizes surrounding World Oral Health Day, highlighting the importance of tooth brushing through a poem and tooth brushing video demonstrations. Participation took place across Timor-Leste, Portugal and Brazil. This first social media campaign showed promising results, with more planned for the future.
- Developing standardised guidelines. One of our key strategies in filling the gaps in Timor-Leste’s oral healthcare system is through the development and implementation of treatment guidelines that ensure dental treatments and medicines are provided safely, appropriately, effectively, and at the lowest cost. These guidelines give oral healthcare professionals the foundational knowledge they need to make crucial decisions about how to treat their patients across the country, furthering the development of key standards of practice and improving the quality of healthcare. In 2022, we worked in collaboration to draft treatment guidelines for Timor-Leste dental healthcare workers.
- Building nationwide engagement and advocacy. Through our active engagement with professional groups across the country, we’re able to advocate for a greater focus on oral health. Our critical partners in this area include the National Department of Non-Communicable, National Oral Health Program Dental Association of Timor-Leste (ADETIL), National Institute of Public Health, and Ministry of Health Cabinet of Quality Control. By working closely together, we’re able to build systems that increase engagement and build further professional development support. In 2022, we reached a significant milestone when we signed a research and training agreement with ADETIL.
More ways we’re filling the gap in oral healthcare in Timor-Leste
One of the greatest challenges that face healthcare systems in any nation can be geographical. This is particularly true in Timor-Leste, where the developing nation continues to rebuild after decades of occupancy.
At Maluk Timor, we’re working hard before Christmas to secure trucks that can take crucial healthcare services to some of Timor-Leste’s most rural regions. Even a small donation can go a long way in closing the gap in oral healthcare, with every dollar of our pre-Christmas drive going to support this crucial need. These vehicles can help our community healthcare workers to be a part of making sure more Timor-Leste people receive the oral healthcare they need.
We’re proud to be a part of rebuilding Timor-Leste’s healthcare system in every aspect of our work. Now that primary care is no longer the greatest area of need, and preventable healthcare is, we’re continuing to strengthen by supporting, taking our work beyond its origin of a single clinic.
This Christmas, we’re inviting our global network to be a part of bringing integral oral healthcare to more of Timor-Leste’s rural residents. Every donation makes a difference in making sure these communities can receive the foundational care they need for their oral health. Together, we can build strong, sustainable healthcare throughout Timor-Leste, bringing hope and health to these communities as they continue to rebuild their country.