J Am Dent Assoc. 2020 May;151(5):340-348. doi: 10.1016/j.adaj.2020.01.023. Epub 2020 Mar 26.
To address the inadequacy of oral health care in developing nations, outreach programs have facilitated the provision of dental services by foreign volunteers to areas of need. However, the effectiveness of the current aid model on the long-term well-being of the recipient population and sustainability of efforts remains uncertain. The authors examine the strengths and areas of improvement of outreach initiatives to inform a reorientation of the aid model.
The authors conducted a PubMed search and reviewed included articles to assess the current limitations and recommended strategies for outreach programs. The identified limitations and strategies were sorted into 4 key areas of change and organized using the Theory of Change framework to inform an improved aid model.
The current aid models were found to have limitations in scope and coverage, interventions that were not applicable or integrated into local systems, and an inadequate evidence base. To address these limitations, efforts should be directed at the capacity building of local workers through individual training and evidence-based interventions, improved understanding of local contexts, and integration and alignment with local systems.
The empowerment of local communities is critical in ensuring an effective and sustainable aid model in developing nations.
By adopting an improved aid model, outreach programs can enhance the long-term access and availability of quality oral health care that is delivered by local providers and communities.
为了解决发展中国家口腔卫生保健服务的不足，外展计划为有需要的地区提供了外国志愿者提供牙科服务的机会。然而，目前援助模式对受援人群的长期福祉和努力的可持续性的有效性仍不确定。作者研究了外展计划的优势和改进领域，为重新定位援助模式提供信息。
作者进行了 PubMed 搜索并审查了纳入的文章，以评估外展计划的当前局限性和推荐策略。确定的局限性和策略被分为 4 个关键的变革领域，并使用变革理论框架进行组织，为改进的援助模式提供信息。
目前的援助模式在范围和覆盖面上存在局限性，干预措施不适用于或未融入当地系统，证据基础不足。为了解决这些局限性，应通过个人培训和基于证据的干预措施、提高对当地情况的理解以及与当地系统的整合和协调，努力增强当地工作人员的能力。
赋予当地社区权力对于确保发展中国家有效和可持续的援助模式至关重要。
通过采用改进的援助模式，外展计划可以提高当地提供者和社区提供的优质口腔卫生保健的长期可及性和可获得性。
