Cusco is a city in the Peruvian Andes mountain range. It is the capital of the region and province with the same name. The city, which is located at an altitude of around 3 400 metres above sea level, is the home of over half a million people. The poor oral and dental hygiene in rural areas is clearly evident here. The main reason for this situation is the lack of a healthy diet, easily accessible junk food and the unawareness of the consequences of eating unhealthily. Ivoclar Joy also makes a contribution here, offering children in the region future prospects by providing assistance on location.
In December 2022, Dr Tatiana Repetto-Bauckhage, Head of Universities and DSO Global Education, travelled to the hamlet of Marampaqui, which is situated on the outskirts of the city. Rocky roads meander along trout and guinea pig farms to the “Centro Médico”, a health centre that also houses a small dental practice. Local patients have to walk for up to three hours to reach the clinic in order to access medical treatment.
Through the Ivoclar Joy project, our outreach team treated together with local specialists pupils from Ocongate (2.5 hours away from Cusco) and learners from a school on the outskirts of Cusco. With the permission of the head teachers and the parents, they accompanied the pupils from their school to the “Con Corazón” dental clinic, where they were treated. The program was rounded off by regular campaigns on disease prevention and the promotion of oral health at the two schools.
In April 2023, we participated in an aid campaign that was jointly organized with representatives from the Ministry of Health, from the “Corazón de Jesús” dental clinic and the National University of San Antonio Abad in Cusco. In the period from April to June, we informed primary school students about Ivoclar Joy and treated around 420 learners. Our local outreach team continues to hand over supplies of materials on a regular basis. The team members demonstrate how to use Ivoclar products and they provide dental treatment.