The Rotary Club of Guararema, known for its outstanding work in humanitarian projects within the Rotary International District 4571, is in discussions with the Guararema Municipal Health Department and international Rotary clubs to form a partnership. The goal is to expand access to oral health services for the most vulnerable and remote communities from Basic Health Units (UBS), focusing on preventive, educational, and curative actions.
The proposal includes the acquisition and implementation of a Mobile Dental Unit (MDU), which will be equipped and operated by a specialized oral health team. All interested parties have shown great interest in this project, and we are confident that we will finalize the details soon.
Expected Impacts:
- Improvement of the Population's Oral Health: Reduce the prevalence of cavities and other oral diseases in the population, especially among children, through preventive care and early treatments.
- Expansion of Access to Oral Health Services: With the MDU, it will be possible to serve students, communities in rural areas, and outskirts that currently face difficulties in reaching the dental services available in UBS.
- Promotion of Oral Health Education: Conduct educational campaigns in schools and communities to raise awareness about the importance of oral hygiene and disease prevention, positively impacting the habits and quality of life of the population.
- Integration and Strengthening of the Municipal Health Network: The MDU will complement existing services, promoting greater efficiency and reach of the municipal health system.
- Sustainability and Reduction of Future Costs: Significantly reduce the number of no-shows and cancellations of scheduled dental appointments, a practice known as "absenteeism," which can lead to an increase in incomplete treatments and additional costs for the health system.
Rotary Club of Guararema-Humanitarion Project Proposal 2025. Acquisition of a Mobile Dental Unit for the Health Department of the Municipality of Guararema, São Paulo, Brazil.
Project title: Smiling Guararema with the Dental Unit
Type of Project: Humanitarian Project that meets community needs and produces sustainable, measurable impact results.
Club Name: Rotary Club of Guararema - District 4571 Primary Contacts: Rtn. DG Alcione Viana, Rtn. DGI Dante Bachi Jr.
The Vision
With a population of approximately 31,236 inhabitants, a territorial area of 270.816 km², and a population where 34% have a nominal monthly per capita income of up to ½ minimum wage (USD 123), the municipality of Guararema faces challenges in accessing healthcare, especially for rural communities and more remote areas. The main benefit of the Mobile Dental Unit (MDU) is the convenience it offers to patients. By bringing dental services directly to communities, patients save time and resources that would be spent on travel. This is especially important for those living in rural areas or urban regions with limited access to healthcare services. Additionally, the presence of the MDU can encourage more people to seek treatment, contributing to the improvement of the population's oral health.
The Mission
Collaborate with the Municipal Health Department of Guararema to detect, support, and increase awareness of preventive oral health care. Provide high-quality and accessible dental treatment for people in vulnerable situations, as close as possible to their homes, aiming to reduce the incidence of oral diseases in the population. Additionally, proactively help disadvantaged patients by encouraging prevention and the pursuit of adequate dental treatments.
Reduce the significant number of absences (missed) and cancellations of scheduled dental appointments. This practice, known as "absenteeism," can lead to an increase in incomplete treatments, affecting patients' health and generating additional costs for the healthcare system. Absenteeism significantly impairs health services, which operate with the expected efficiency of scheduling.
The Action
Acquisition and adaptation of a van-type vehicle, with a minimum power of 150hp, a minimum displacement of 2,000cc (electronic injection), a minimum fuel tank capacity of 60 liters (diesel), a volumetric capacity not less than 10.5m³, a minimum height of 1,800 mm, a sliding side door, and rear-wheel drive.
Dental Office - A private and air-conditioned environment, composed of:
• 01 Modular unit with sink equipped with an AISI 304 stainless steel bowl, spout-type faucet operated by an electric pedal, and solenoid valves to prevent cross-contamination, drawer module, hinged doors, retractable drawer for medical prescriptions, and a niche for a mini-fridge.
• 01 Fully automatic chair with a solid steel base, worm gear motor reducer lifting system; with zero return, up and down movements of the seat and backrest; padding covered in seamless PVCRON laminate with rounded corners.
• Control box in high-impact polystyrene; consisting of a triple syringe with a self-cleaning rotary tip.
• 01 Triple terminal with spray for high rotation and 01 triple terminal with spray for a micromotor; reflector with white and cool light, adjustable intensity up to 20,000 lux, through a button located on the chair pedal; front protector; headrest with smooth finish, 620º free rotation; bilateral handles; articulating arm, horizontal and vertical movement; multifaceted mirror.
• 01 Water unit (auxiliary) equipment attached to the chair, arm with horizontal movement, vertical position adjustment system through ring and lock; smooth hoses without grooves or ridges, progressive pedal; translucent water reservoir and pressurization.
• 01 Gas stool with seamless upholstery, lumbar support; ergonomic seat. Mechanical lifting system with an easy-to-operate lever; backrest approach adjustment with an easy-to-operate mechanism.
• 01 LED photopolymerizer device, with light in the range of at least 450 mm; digital timer and time control up to 60 seconds through keys located on the pen itself; removable tip in high-strength polymer.
• 01 Ultrasound and bicarbonate jet; 01 wall-mounted X-ray;
• 01 Vacuum pump;
• 01 Autoclave with stainless steel chamber, 12-liter capacity. Anti-vacuum valve, safety seal; control panel with LEDs and function buttons, manometer with pressure and temperature scales, handle with automatic depressurization safety system; with trays with stainless steel support.
• 01 Dental compressor;
• 01 Air conditioner with a minimum of 12,000 BTUs;
• 01 Mini-fridge with a minimum of 80 liters
The Health Department of Guararema/SP commits to:
1. Equip the Mobile Dental Unit (MDU) with the dental instruments and permanent materials specified in Section X - Financial Incentive for MDU Funding.
2. Provide the necessary human resources for the operation of the MDU, as established in Section X - Financial Incentive for MDU Funding.
3. Maintain the MDU and the donated equipment, as well as the acquired permanent materials, keeping the visual identification and design according to the standard defined by the Rotary Club of Guararema throughout the MDU's useful life.
4. Ensure that the vehicle designated as the MDU is registered and compliant with local and national legislation. Observing the main obligations:
o Registration and Licensing: Ensure that the MDU is registered and licensed in accordance with municipal and state laws, including issuing plates and verifying the operational conditions of the vehicle.
o Maintenance and Safety: Ensure that the MDU is regularly maintained and complies with safety standards, including periodic inspections and maintenance of the dental equipment on board.
o Team Accreditation: Request the accreditation of the oral health teams that will work on the MDU, ensuring that professionals are qualified and registered.
o Funding Commitment: Sign a commitment declaration for funding the services provided by the MDU, including personnel financing, maintenance, traffic fines, and other operational costs.
o Monitoring and Evaluation: Monitor the MDU's performance and evaluate its effectiveness in providing oral health services to the community, making the information available to the Rotary Club of Guararema for the preparation of intermediate and final reports of the Global Grant Request made to the Rotary Foundation.
Rotary Club of Guararema - District 4571, the initiator of this project, will provide a Mobile Dental Unit (MDU) along with other equipment, as described earlier in this document, through various donors and a matching donation from the Rotary Foundation.
Funding to Date
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