Nadezhda Fund was founded by Children’s HopeChest in 1996. Since then, it has been faithfully providing social, psychological, pedagogical, legal and medical support to orphans, children left without parental care and older orphans/orphanage graduates. The first dental clinic for older orphans was founded in Vladimir CarePoint in 1997, and later on, a clinic was organized in Kostroma. Since then, the program has proven to be effective at providing dental care to older orphans and promoting healthy lifestyles.

Most older orphans are extremely fearful of dental care. Many have avoided dental clinics since childhood and wait until their pain is very acute in order to seek care. By that time, their teeth are severely neglected and they have developed complications. Many also do not know how to properly brush their teeth or don’t brush their teeth at all, and others just brush half-heartedly. This leads to problems such as gingivitis, periodontal (gum) disease, and cavities. Most of the young people only come to receive dental care when they require extensive treatment. Often patients with such complications have to make three to four visits to treat one tooth and require treatment with medication (including antibiotics).

Undoubtedly, having a dental clinic at the CarePoint provides a significant savings for orphanage graduates. If they were to get treatment in local clinics, they would be spending around 3,000 rubles ($50 USD) for a simple cavity and between 5,000 and 10,000 rubles ($85-$170) for a cavity with complications.