PRESS RELEASE
Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) – Yerevan Office
53-55 Pavstos Buzand Street, 0010
Yerevan, Republic of Armenia
Contact: Inessa Grigoryan
Tel: (+374 10) 522076; 562068
Fax: (+374 10) 522076
E-mail: igrigoryan@coafkids.org
Web:

Children of Armenia Fund – New York Office
162 Fifth Avenue, Suite 900,
New York, NY 10010, USA
Contact: Samantha Wagar
Tel: 212 – 994 – 8234
Fax: 212 – 994 – 8299
E-mail: swagar@coafkids.org
Web:
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Children of Armavir District Benefit from
Free-of-Charge Dental Care
Children of Armenia Fund and Karakert Health Clinic Partner to Bring
Basic Dental Care to Communities in Need

March 26, 2010, Karakert, Armavir District * As part of the health care
component of its Comprehensive Rural Development Program, the Children
of Armenia Fund (COAF) has partnered with the Karakert Health Clinic in
providing free dental care to the children of Karakert and the
neighboring communities of the Baghramyan Region in the Armavir District
of Armenia. Dental care is not readily available to most rural Armenian
families due to shortages in both quality dental practices and resources
with which to pay the required fees for service. As a result, tooth
decay is widespread, affecting nearly 100% of the rural population,
often beginning during early childhood. This project is an excellent
example of community and individual investments in the development
activities implemented by COAF in Armenia’s rural communities and the
great impact that such partnerships have on child health.

This unique and unprecedented program began on February 1, 2010 and
lasted for 30 business days, providing free-of-charge dental care to
many needy children. Designed in accordance with the latest industry
standards and equipped with all the necessary medical supplies, the
recently opened dental unit in the Karakert Health Clinic hosted a total
of 312 children during the project period. Dr. Gevorg Ghazaryan, a
certified and qualified local dentist who operates the Dental Unit,
treated 163 teeth, extracted 110, took X-Rays of 19 children’s teeth and
gave consultations to 31 adolescents, providing specialized oral hygiene
– all completely free-of-charge. This initiative was possible in large
part due to Dr. Ghazaryan’s dedication and generosity. He and his staff
worked long hours to bring back bright smiles to rural children.
Patients were grateful for the dentist’s professionalism and moved by
his caring attitude; hardly anyone left the clinic unhappy.

Another significant component of the project was the education of the
young and the elderly in the basics of dental care and oral hygiene.
Prior to the dental screening and treatment, seminars in health
education were organized in cluster schools and kindergartens, aimed at
revealing the prevalence of existing dental problems and raising
children’s, parents’ and teachers’ awareness of the consequences of poor
dental health. Informational leaflets on oral hygiene were also
distributed to children, their parents and the general cluster
population.

The collaboration between the Karakert Health Clinic and the local
dentist in this charitable activity can serve as a model to be
replicated at health clinics and in communities throughout the region.
In the words of Dr. Ghazaryan, "It’s the duty of every village resident
to do his or her share to support the development of the community, by
participating in activities that are especially advantageous to children
and adolescents. It is COAF’s impressive work in our communities and its
remarkable achievements that have inspired me to become part of this
important philanthropy".

The only specialized dental office in the region, the Dental Unit in the
Karakert Health Clinic was established in December 2009 through the
initiative of COAF, with financial support from Newman’s Own Foundation.

# # # #

About COAF

The Children of Armenia Fund (COAF) is a non-profit organization,
founded in 2003, that aims to reduce poverty through the revitalization
of rural Armenia and the realization of projects that are instrumental
for the development of rural children and youth. With the introduction
of its novel approach to clustering in February 2006, COAF is currently
implementing the "Model Cluster" Comprehensive Rural Development Program
working in six villages in Baghramyan Region of Armavir District. The
key components of COAF’s Model Cluster comprise community development
including Health, Social and Education Programs, as well as
Infrastructure Rehabilitation and Economic Development. For the past six
years, about 22,000 rural residents and over 4,600 children from Argina,
Dalarik, Lernagog, Karakert, Miasnikian and Shenik communities have
benefited from COAF’s continuous development efforts and improved
schools, kindergartens, health clinics, sport complexes, community and
psycho-social centers, capacity building trainings and workshops and
multi-faceted business development opportunities.