Written by Yngcum Baniwas
There’s something quietly powerful about a team of students and teachers knocking on doors—not to promote a product, but to talk about dental health. That’s exactly what unfolded during a three-day outreach in Barangay Pinsao Proper, where volunteers from the University of Baguio’s School of Dentistry are walking house to house, questionnaires in hand, toothbrushes in their bags, and a meaningful purpose in their hearts. This initiative aims to achieve UN’s Sustainable Development Goals such as SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities and SDG 17: Partnership for the Goals.
The effort is part of a community-wide oral health needs assessment spearheaded by Dr. Ian Steve Bandaay, Dr. Maria Lourdes Cantor, and Dr. Yngcum Baniwas.
Rather than relying on surveys sent through schools or clinics, the faculty and student volunteers are stepping directly into people’s lives, gathering honest stories about dental care habits, access to services, and daily challenges. Along the way, they’re offering simple, helpful advice about oral hygiene and handing out kits with toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Real People, Real Concerns
In many homes, dental care is not a top priority—not because it doesn’t matter, but because other needs come first. With tight budgets and limited access to clinics, even basic dental checkups are often postponed. The volunteer team understands this reality, focusing on listening-centered approach.
Their goal is to gather data that illustrates an accurate picture of oral health in the barangay. What problems are most common? Who’s missing out on dental care, and why? What can be done about it?
The answers to these questions will help shape future health programs—not just within Pinsao Proper, but potentially across similar communities.
Beyond the Numbers
What truly sets this initiative apart is its sincerity. One household at a time, the team from UB’s School of Dentistry is bridging the gap between clinical care and daily life. They’re not just collecting data on oral health needs, they’re building real human connections. Volunteers sit with parents, engage with children, and offer guidance that can leave a lasting impact long after the forms are filled.
At the heart of it all is respect. Participation is completely voluntary, and every resident is treated with dignity. Personal information is kept strictly confidential—no names, no identifiers, just honest stories meant to shape better care. Families can opt out at any point, without judgment or consequence.
And it’s this culture of trust that gives the program its power. When people feel heard, not lectured to, they open up. They listen. And often, they leave the conversation with something more valuable than a toothbrush—hope, and a sense that their health matters.
A Team Effort
Support from barangay officials and local child development workers has helped the project reach more families. It’s a real example of how schools and communities can work hand-in-hand to create positive change.
For the students involved, the experience offers something you can’t learn in a classroom: empathy, communication, and the value of public service. For the residents of Pinsao Proper, it brings knowledge, support, and perhaps most importantly, hope.
A Step Toward Healthier Tomorrows
At the end of the day, this initiative is about more than oral hygiene. It’s about showing up, reaching out, and starting change in the most grassroots way possible.
Through small actions—asking questions, giving a toothbrush, sharing advice—a lasting impact is being made. It’s a reminder that real care doesn’t always require a clinic. Sometimes, it just needs a knock on the door.
