Gyeonggi-do Launches 'Dental Primary Care Project' for 120,000 Elementary Students

by Lee YeongKyu

Published 02 May.2023 07:18(KST)

Gyeonggi-do Elementary School Dental Care Program Guide

Gyeonggi Province will implement the 'Elementary School Dental Care Physician Project,' a prevention-focused oral care service for 4th-grade elementary school students, starting from the 2nd.

The Elementary School Dental Care Physician Project allows 4th-grade children, who are at a stage where permanent teeth alignment is complete and oral health management is highly effective, to receive free oral examinations, oral health education, and preventive treatment at designated dental medical institutions. This year, the target group includes 121,592 children residing in Gyeonggi Province who are in the 4th grade of elementary school, as well as out-of-school youth of the same age.

The examinations will be conducted from the 2nd of this month until November 30th. Target students should complete a questionnaire and online video education through the 'Dent-i Gyeonggi' app before visiting the dentist, then make a phone reservation and visit the designated dental clinic. The designated dental clinics can be used anywhere in the 31 cities and counties within the province and can be searched via the Dent-i Gyeonggi app.

The province explained that through last year's Elementary School Dental Care Physician Project, 123,935 out of 134,326 eligible individuals, or 92.3%, completed the examination.

According to a satisfaction survey of students (and guardians), 65,121 students who completed the examination, accounting for 52.9%, participated in the survey, and 97.1% responded that they were satisfied.

Since its inception in 2019, the Dental Care Physician Project has established itself as a representative child oral health management system in Gyeonggi Province due to its high participation rate and satisfaction.

Shin Hyung-jin, Director of the Public Medical Department of the province, stated, "During the crucial elementary school period for oral health, we will actively promote the Dental Care Physician Project so that students can receive proper oral health education and appropriate preventive treatment."