ATN Blog - Fighting Tooth Decay to Break the Cycle of Poverty

Over 80% of children in African townships suffer from tooth decay, with toothaches as a leading cause of school absenteeism—perpetuating poverty. The Healthy Teeth Foundation combats this through oral health education and WASH (water, sanitation, and hygiene) initiatives. Teaching simple habits like handwashing with soap and brushing with fluoride toothpaste helps prevent toothaches and diarrheal diseases, ensuring children stay healthy and in school.

Alice Grasveld, a dental hygienist, medical anthropologist, and founder of The Healthy Teeth Foundation, is committed to bridging science and real-world solutions. As a PhD student at the Academic Centre for Dentistry Amsterdam, she researches oral health’s connection to overall health and societal well-being, translating knowledge into impactful community initiatives.

This post, authored by Trishnika Chakraborty, is part of the Aletta Talent Network.