In a transformative initiative, the Collaborating Centre for Innovation in Population Oral Health (CIPO) and the Oral Health Bureau (OHB) are set to enhance oral health care for young children in Cambodia. Funded by The Borrow Foundation, this project plans to demonstrate universal access to oral health care, aligned with the Cambodia National Action Plan for Oral Health (CNAPOH) 2023-2030.
The Borrow Foundation have already funded the first steps of Cambodia’s National Action Plan for Oral Health (CNAPOH) which established a four-tiered Oral Health Network, and secured plan acceptance. The current project will pilot key components, setting the stage for broader implementation and future investment.
Methodological approach
This three-year project, covering Phnom Penh, Kampong Cham, Kampong Som, and Kampong Chhnang, aims to strengthen oral health leadership and implement sustainable oral health services for Cambodian preschoolers, focusing on Early Childhood Caries (ECC). The initiative’s main goal is to establish effective delivery pathways for essential care, including fluoride varnish applications and oral hygiene education, integrated with health services like vaccinations.
The project’s framework includes creating an Oral Health Network to engage stakeholders from local health workers to government officials, establishing a data repository, and assessing the feasibility of fluoride varnish delivery through health centres. Starting with small-scale demonstrations in 30 centres, local health providers will receive targeted training to ensure effective service delivery. With support from The Borrow Foundation, the project also seeks additional resources to expand its impact, setting a foundation for broader, sustainable oral health integration across Cambodia.
Expected Outcomes and Impact
The project is expected to strengthen oral health leadership, enhance the health workforce's capabilities, and develop a comprehensive data repository for evidence-based policy decisions. Key anticipated outcomes include increased awareness of oral health among preschool children and caregivers, improved capacity for health workers to deliver effective services, and the establishment of a sustainable model for ongoing oral health promotion.
By fostering stakeholder engagement and reliable data systems, this initiative not only benefits children’s oral health but also contributes to Cambodia’s broader public health goals. The support from The Borrow Foundation highlights the importance of collaborative efforts in overcoming public health challenges, ensuring that all Cambodian children have access to essential oral health care as the nation moves towards universal health coverage.
 Bethy Turton, Adjunct Associate Professor & Co-director, Collaborating Centre for Innovation in population Oral Health, University of Puthisastra |  Callum Durward, former Dean of Faculty of Dentistry, University of Puthisastra (UP) and Chair of the Collaborating Centre for Innovation in Oral Health advisory board |  Chanthyda (Tida) Sieng, Facilitator, Co-director Collaborating Centre for Innovation in Population Oral Health |