Seoul Station Shantytown 'Free Dental Clinic' Marks 1st Anniversary: "Confidence Along with Dental Health"

First Anniversary of Our Neighborhood Oral Care Plus Center
1,948 Treatments in One Year... 92% "Satisfied"

The "Our Neighborhood Oral Care Plus Center" in the Seoul Station shantytown, an initiative launched by Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon after hearing stories from residents on-site, has marked its first anniversary.

On the morning of July 24, Mayor Oh attended the "Our Neighborhood Oral Care Plus Center 1st Anniversary Performance Sharing Event" held at the Nighttime Heat Shelter in the Seoul Station shantytown. During the event, the operational status over the past year was reviewed, and residents who received treatment shared their experiences.

Seoul Mayor Oh Sehoon is touring the treatment room at the opening ceremony of the Our Neighborhood Oral Care Plus Center, where residents of the Dongja-dong shantytown in Yongsan-gu, Seoul, can receive free dental treatment. 2024.07.01 Photo by Kang Jinhyung

The Our Neighborhood Oral Care Center was a project initiated in earnest by Mayor Oh after hearing from a resident during a meal at Donghaeng Restaurant that they could not eat meat due to poor dental health. In December 2022, the city, in partnership with the Woori Financial Future Foundation and the Physicians for Action, opened a free dental clinic called the Our Neighborhood Oral Care Center in the Donui-dong shantytown. Subsequently, in July last year, an agreement was signed with Seoul National University School of Dentistry, and the Our Neighborhood Oral Care Plus Center was opened in the Seoul Station shantytown.

Over the past year, the Plus Center in the Seoul Station shantytown has provided a total of 1,948 treatments. The cumulative number of residents treated reached 833, with the following breakdown: 81 cases of dentures, 38 cases of fixed prosthetics, 141 cases of periodontal treatment, 75 cases of root canal treatment, 259 cases of cavity treatment, 55 cases of preventive care, and 852 cases of basic treatment (check-ups). A total of 198 volunteers, including professors from Seoul National University and dentists from the United States, as well as 295 dental hygienists and graduate students from Seoul National University School of Dentistry, participated in providing treatment and care.

Among the residents who received treatment, 92.1% reported being satisfied. They shared that "denture treatment made it easier to chew and eat food," and "not only did my dental health improve, but I also gained confidence, making it easier to interact with others."

At the performance sharing event, Mayor Oh presented a plaque of appreciation to the Seoul National University School of Dentistry to commemorate the selection of the Our Neighborhood Oral Care Plus Center as an excellent case of proactive administration by the Seoul Metropolitan Government in the first half of this year.

Han Dongheon, director of the Our Neighborhood Oral Care Plus Center (professor at Seoul National University School of Dentistry), said, "Many shantytown residents have no teeth, so prosthetic treatment that enables chewing is the most important. Prosthetic treatment is expensive and poses a significant financial burden, but it was made possible thanks to the Woori Financial Foundation, which supports treatment costs, and Seoul National University School of Dentistry, which provides professional personnel."

He added, "Post-prosthetic care is also extremely important, and the center can serve as a great model because it is nearby and helps residents manage their oral health on their own."

Mayor Oh stated, "Every time I hear stories of residents who had to forgo treatment due to financial reasons regaining the happiness of eating and the joy of smiling broadly, as well as confidence in life, I am reminded that starting this project was truly worthwhile. I hope that, as the center celebrates its first anniversary, it will continue to serve as a strong refuge that brings health and hope to even more neighbors."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.