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The SIdP Foundation project, created by the Public Health Service, offers low-income people access to free dental treatment.

Before the pandemic period, dental services for the population in a state of social vulnerability were only 5% covered. Of course, during the pandemic, that number dropped a lot, leaving many without any assistance.

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In today's article, we'll talk a little more about the SIdP Foundation project and how low-income people take part. Check it out below.

SIdP Foundation Project

The SIdP Onlus foundation, in partnership with the San Vincenzo de Paoli Society and the Italian Society of Periodontology and Implantology, created the project The Solidarity Dentist (Il Dentita Solidal), on April 30, 2022.

This project was created with the aim of bringing dental treatment to people who are in a situation of social vulnerability.

The project was encouraged by world health day, which is celebrated on the 7th of April. In all, 250 SIdP dentists and dental hygienists dedicate at least one hour every week to providing care and carrying out tests on people who are participating in the project and receiving benefits.

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A Società San Vincenzo De Paoli, is the one who performs the service and selects the people who need dental care and treatment, in addition to monitoring everything during the process.

A little more about the Solidarity Dentist project

Mario Aimenti, president of the SIdP Onlus Foundation, stated about the Solidarity Dentist project: “In addition to intervening in an emergency context to allow urgent treatment, it aims to raise awareness of the importance of prevention and correct oral hygiene practices”.

And he concluded: “In Italy, dental services are essentially private with minimal coverage by the public system and consequent economic barriers for citizens”.

According to data collected in 2019 by Istato, one in two Italians goes to the dentist. The data also show that among people in poverty situation, 14% receives dental treatment, and among people in extreme poverty, the number drops to 9%.

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Aimetti added: "Furthermore, among foreign citizens, access to dental care is less than half that of Italians and the pandemic has exacerbated these inequalities."

The Solidarity Dentist project, therefore, seeks to minimize the impacts of social differences, which were very pronounced during the pandemic, and provide everyone with decent health.