The Straumann Group Foundation

Improving access to oral healthcare in the Andes of Peru

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Improving access to oral healthcare in the Andes of Peru

Through a multi-year partnership, the Straumann Group Foundation, Straumann Group Peru, and the Suyana Foundation are expanding access to essential dental care in underserved rural communities across the Andes.

By combining fixed and mobile service delivery with local capacity building, the program addresses both immediate care needs and long-term oral health outcomes.

The challenge

Many communities in rural regions of Peru face significant barriers to accessing dental care due to geographic isolation, limited infrastructure, and a shortage of healthcare services.

As a result, large parts of the population - particularly children and families - have little or no access to preventive or restorative dental treatment. Untreated conditions can lead to pain, reduced quality of life, and long-term health challenges.

Our approach

The program brings care directly to underserved communities through an integrated model that combines service delivery, prevention, and capacity building.

  • Stationary dental care center
    A fully equipped dental care station in Yanatile provides continuous, high-quality treatment and serves as a local anchor for care delivery.
  • Mobile dental clinics
    Two mobile units extend outreach into remote communities, delivering essential dental services where access is otherwise limited.
  • Integrated care and education
    The program provides preventive, restorative, and urgent dental treatments, alongside oral health education for children, teachers, and communities.
  • Capacity building
    Training and upskilling of local dental professionals and health staff strengthen long-term service delivery and local ownership.

Who we support

The program focuses on populations with limited or no access to dental care, including:

  • rural and remote communities
  • children and school communities
  • local healthcare professionals and dental staff
  • community stakeholders and decision makers

The program aims to reach up to 3,000 beneficiaries per year.

Scale and reach

  • Multi-year program running from 2025 to 2027
  • Up to 3,000 beneficiaries reached annually
  • Services delivered across the Cusco, Apurímac, and Puno regions
  • Combination of stationary and mobile service delivery

Partnership

This initiative brings together strong global and local partners:

  • Straumann Group Foundation (SGF) – funding, strategic oversight, and impact measurement
  • Straumann Group Peru – local coordination
  • Suyana Foundation – implementation, clinical delivery, and community engagement

Together, the partners combine international expertise with deep local presence to deliver sustainable impact.

Impact

The program is designed to create meaningful and lasting change:

  • increasing access to preventive and restorative dental services
  • improving oral hygiene and health outcomes, particularly among children
  • strengthening the capacity of the local dental workforce
  • improving perceived quality of care in underserved communities
  • increasing community awareness and engagement in oral health

Impact is measured through both service data and qualitative insights, including community feedback and program monitoring.

Sustainability

The program is designed for long-term impact by:

  • training and empowering local professionals to deliver care
  • integrating services into local health systems and community structures
  • establishing permanent and mobile infrastructure for continued access
  • building long-term presence through trusted local partners

This approach ensures continuity of care and creates a foundation for future expansion.

Looking ahead

By combining fixed infrastructure, mobile outreach, and capacity building, the program contributes to a more inclusive and sustainable oral healthcare system in rural Peru.

It lays the groundwork for long-term improvements in access to care while strengthening local systems and community ownership.

Additional information and useful links

 

 

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