EVALUATION REPORT; USAID GRANT NO. AID/AFR-G-1163; DENTAL HEALTH INTERNATIONAL, INC.

IT HAS NOT MADE SUBSTANTIVE CHANGES IN ORAL HEALTH, NOR WOULD SUCH A BRIEF EFFORT BE EXPECTED TO HAVE SUCH AN IMPACT. UNIFORM SUPPORT FOR THE CONCEPT INDICATES THAT PROGRAM MODIFICATIONS COULD LEAD TO LONG TERM EFFECTIVE RESULTS. THE CURRENT REQUIREMENT THAT THE PROJECT BE ECONOMICALLY SELF-SUFFICIENT HANDICAPS ACHIEVEMENT OF OBJECTIVES IN PREVENTION AND EDUCATION AND IN REACHING THE GREATEST POSSIBLE RURAL POPULATION. IT IS BETTER SUITED AS A DEMONSTRATION PROJECT TO DEFINE ORAL HEALTH NEEDS, TO DETERMINE METHODS FOR DENTAL SERVICE DELIVERY AND TO ELEVATE PUBLIC RECOGNITION OF ORAL HEALTH AS A LEGITIMATE SOCIAL CONCERN. THE OPPORTUNITY PRESENTED BY THE PROJECT TO COLLECT DATA THAT WILL BE ESSENTIAL TO RATIONAL DENTAL PROBLEM DEFINITION AND PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT HAS SO FAR BEEN OVERLOOKED. THE DHI GRANT SHOULD BE CONTINUED BECAUSE IT: (1)IS AN EXCELLENT DEMONSTRATION PROJECT; (2)HAS THE POTENTIAL TO PROVIDE IMPORTANT DATA; AND (3)IS RESPECTED AND APPRECIATED BY THE GOVERNMENTS WHO ARE UNABLE TO CARRY ON AN ORAL HEALTH PROGRAM WITH NATIONAL RESOURCES. THE EVALUATOR DISCUSSES (1)DHI AND LOCAL HOSPITAL ADMINISTRATION, (2)DHI AND LOCAL HOSPITAL TRAINING, (3)USAID AND DHI RELATIONS, (4)TARGET GROUP RESPONSE AND PROJECT GOALS AND PURPOSES, AND (5)THE PROBLEM OF AN ADEQUATE POWER SUPPLY.