Where There is No Dentist....Hesperian

Hesperian has a new announcement....

"At Hesperian Health Guides, we work hard to keep our books up-to-date with reliable medical information and resource listings.  Today we are happy to announce that an updated version of our one-of-a-kind book, Where There Is No Dentist, is available -- and it still costs less than $15.00! As always, the book provides straightforward, step-by-step dental instruction as well as creative ways to promote oral hygiene to young children, students, and adults.

What do trainers of community health workers have to say about Where There Is No Dentist?

Our organization has three international health project sites -- in Nicaragua, Bolivia and Mozambique. I purchased copies for each location. Our community health workers teach basic health services and prevention messages to rural communities. More than 100,000 people in these countries participate in our public health campaigns, including caring for your teeth to prevent future extractions. There is no affordable dental care for 95% of the population in any of these countries. This makes prevention all the more important. And when a dentist isn't available, a community health worker can use this resource to guide a villager toward a basic solution. --Program Director, Esperança, Inc.

 

Highlights of the updated 2012 edition include: 

• A new section on Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART), a permanent method to fill cavities without the use of an expensive dental drill
• Updated information on where to get other training materials, resources, and dental supplies

Hesperian is a small nonprofit and depends on your support to keep our books updated. Consider purchasing a book or making a donation today.

Thanks for supporting Hesperian Health Guides!" - from https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.11083127257/rid:85e27b53380d26e9f8c0b415f789e435

Comments?

Resources for Low-Cost, Affordable, Practical Healthcare

Below is information from the Hesperian book "Where There is No Doctor" - "Addresses for Teaching Materials" - http://hesperian.org/wp-content/uploads/pdf/en_wtnd_2011/en_wtnd_2011_resc.pdf


From that link above, here are the links.  You might be particularly interested in these if you are striving for low-cost affordable healthcare, no matter where you live.  Some of these have newsletters you can subscribe to.  The link above explains each of the below in more detail.

• Hesperian Health Guides -  http://hesperian.org/
• African Medical and Research Foundation -  http://www.amref.org/
• Arab Resource Collective -  http://www.mawared.org/ (In Arabic, but Google can translate)
• Child-to-Child Trust -  http://www.child-to-child.org/
• Christian Medical Association of India -  http://www.cmai.org/
• DEMOTECH – Designs for Self-Reliance -  http://www.demotech.org/
• International Development Research Centre (IDRC) -  http://www.idrc.ca/EN/Pages/default.aspx
• International Planned Parenthood Federation (IPPF) -  http://www.ippf.org/en/
• Media/Materials Clearinghouse -  http://www.m-mc.org/
• Voluntary Health Association of India (VHAI) -  http://www.vhai.org/
• World Neighbors International Headquarters -  http://www.wn.org/site/c.buITJ7NRKsLaG/b.6248395/k.BEF1/Home.htm
• Alcoholics Anonymous -  http://www.aa.org/
• ENDA – Environmental Development Action in the Third World -  http://www.endatiersmonde.org/ (In French, but Google can translate)
• Health Action Information Network (HAIN) -  http://www.hain.org/
• Helen Keller International -  http://www.hki.org/
• Nutrition Center of the Philippines -  http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/National_Nutrition_Council_(Philippines) also  http://www.nnc.gov.ph/
• Practical Action -  http://practicalaction.org/
• Teaching Aids at Low Cost (TALC) -  http://www.talcuk.org/

If you have more listings, please contact Hesperian from where all this information came from.  They might consider adding your information or link at some time.  Contact Hesperian at  http://hesperian.org/

Thought for the Day - What can the U.S. and other Developed Countries learn from Developing Countries who are achieving Affordable Health Care?

Affordable Health Care - Medical Innovation Happening Around the World!

"Read about the creative and inspiring ways that people around the world are using Hesperian materials to take Action for Health." - https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.11005722696/rid:7821c9b7e21dfaa809aa79b2c42bfd01

See! - Medical Innovation doesn't just happen in the rich countries, like the U.S.  "Necessity is the mother of invention".  Others aren't just talking - they're doing!

Hesperian Health Guides Contest Ends Soon

"Has a Hesperian book or resource helped you do something you never thought you could do? Extract a tooth?  Deliver a baby?  Save someone’s life?  Implement a health program?  We want to hear about it!  We've already received many wonderful stories and we know there are " - https://app.e2ma.net/app/view:CampaignPublic/id:35444.7474222995/rid:1058709f83fa4b5fadcf6108910e0bd0


As long as you're on the link, check out the wonderful resources.  Don't whine about not having affordable health care.  Get to work and help yourself and others - even here in the U.S.! (Please)

Are you looking for Low Cost Affordable Health Care?

You can use this Little Known Health Information right now!  There is health information available you probably will never hear about from your doctor.  You would be lucky to find it in a library.  Yet, this information has helped millions of people all over the world.  You, too, can benefit from this information.

From the Hesperian site (http://hesperian.org/)- “Hesperian Health Guides is a health information and health education source that supports individuals and communities in their struggles to realize the right to health. We develop easy to read materials that are produced in many languages. All are available through our bookstore and interactive digital resource center.”

Even in developed countries, people are struggling to manage the rising cost of healthcare.  No matter where you live in the world, you might find this information helpful.  Here is something you can do to help yourself and your community, starting today.

Hesperian Health Guides cover many health topics.  Some titles are below.

1. Where There Is No Doctor
2. Helping Health Workers Learn
3. Where There Is No Dentist
4. Disabled Village Children
5. Where Women Have No Doctor
6. A Book for Midwives
7. Helping Children Who Are Blind
8. Helping Children Who Are Deaf
9. A health Handbook for Women with Disabilities
10. A Community Guide to Environmental Health
11. HIV, Health and Your Community
12. Pesticides are Poison
13. Sanitation and Cleanliness

Now you know this information is available.  What are you going to do about it?  Here are some ideas:

• Consider buying some of these books for yourself or others.  Maybe you could donate books to your local library.  Find places to distribute this information. 
• Subscribe to the e-newsletter and see how Hesperian Guides can help you, your community, or your country.  
• Let your local newspaper know about this.  They might like to do a story.  
• If you are a writer or blogger, consider writing about how Hesperian Health Guides have helped millions all over the world.
• Show the books to your doctor.  Ask them what they think, but evaluate the information for yourself.  You are in charge of your own health care.
• If you find the information helpful, spread the word.  Use social media to your benefit.  Maybe others would like to learn about common sense health care.
• Donate time or money to help Hesperian Health Guides.
• Inform your local schools, worship centers, community centers, etc. about Hesperian Health Guides.  Maybe these guides could become part of the curriculum or program.  Homeless shelters might also be interested.
• Share how Hesperian Guides have helped you.  Others can brainstorm and build on your experiences.
• Ask your government officials, even your president, to endorse and distribute materials like this to the public.  This information and education could be an essential part of “Healthcare Reform”.  Government health agencies might also be interested.
• Contact Hesperian Health Guides.  Introduce yourself.  Ask how you can help.  Offer suggestions.  Let them know what a great job they are doing.
• Do not give up.  You can create affordable healthcare, no matter where you live.  You have a right to be as healthy and happy as you can.

For more information –

Hesperian Health Guides - http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hesperian_Foundation also http://hesperian.org/

Hesperian on Facebook - http://www.facebook.com/pages/Hesperian-Health-Guides/14466336994

Health-care reform and the right to health in the USA by Turiano, Laura et al. Lancet; 12/5/2009, Vol. 374 Issue 9705, p1887-1887, 2/3p, 1 Color Photograph

What We Can Learn from Developing Countries: The Community Based Rehabilitation Model by Zambone, Alana et al. - Rural Special Education Quarterly; Fall2010, Vol. 29 Issue 3, p29-34, 6p, 1 Diagram, 1 Chart

Disclaimer – Article is for informational purposes only and is not medical advice.