Mobile clinics address childhood tooth decay in Mongolia
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In Mongolia, the Misheel Kids Foundation (MKF) and its mobile dental clinics are working to combat widespread tooth decay among children.
Hundreds of thousands of Mongolian children experience dental problems because of increased access to sugary foods and drinks combined with limited dental care. The foundation, founded by Swiss dental hygienist Gabriella Schmidt-Corsitto, travels across the country, including to remote areas, to provide checkups, cleanings, and treatments.
The shift from a traditional nomadic lifestyle to a more urban one has changed diets in Mongolia, a country between Russia and China. While meat and dairy were once staples, processed foods and sugary drinks are now common. Many parents and schools do not teach children proper oral hygiene, and dentists are less available outside of Ulaanbaatar, the capital city. Since its founding over ten years ago, MKF has treated more than 22,000 children.
The organisation operates a dental health centre in a suburb of Ulaanbaatar and conducts regular “dental treks” using medically equipped mobile clinics. These treks can see 50 to 80 children in a single day, and the foundation relies on funding from European foundations, private donors, and some local support.
