Smile of Joy have identified a number of participating institutions according to a set criteria to keep the focus on HIV infected and/or affected orphaned children aged birth to 15 years. The location of the institutes (at the moment only in Gauteng) as well as the funds available to deliver this service plays a huge roll.
Each child in the identified institution receives an oral health screening on an annual basis to identify and prioritize dental treatment needs. Treatment that cannot be done at the institution is referred to a participating, private voluntary health provider or to public dental facilities.
Through the identification and treatment of these children, it is possible to obtain an acceptable standard of oral health that would establish a healthy foundation for their secondary dentition.
