Impact of the ‘Sorriso do Amanhã’ extension project on health education for socially vulnerable schoolchildren

Abstract

The ‘Sorriso do Amanhã’ project at the Federal University of Juiz de Fora campus Governador Valadares (UFJF-GV) has as its main goal to carry out health education actions, in a playful way, for schoolchildren who live in areas of social vulnerability. The objective of this experience report was to describe the impacts, challenges, and limitations faced during the life of the project. This report details the educational activities developed at the school and the educational content disseminated on social media as a result of remote meetings, the planning and preparation of visits, the challenges faced, the impacts observed on oral health, and the learning acquired by the extension workers. The activities developed were essential for the early identification of various oral diseases, as well as preserving oral health and improving quality of life. The dissemination of content about oral health through social media contributed to the dissemination of knowledge. Furthermore, this experience allowed extension workers to develop a humanistic, critical, and reflective vision regarding the real oral health problems experienced by the Community.