CYSCA Introduces Preventive Dentistry in Armenia

CAMBRIDGE, Mass.—On March 4, the Cambridge-Yerevan Sister City Association (CYSCA) formally donated equipment to Yerevan State Medical University after Mkhitar Heratsi (YSMU) for use in teaching courses in preventive dentistry. The program was the initiative of Karina Matevosyan, a CYSCA Board member, who not only conceived of the program but also introduced it at the university in September 2014.

Karina Matevoysan with YSMU rector Dr. Narimanyan
Karina Matevoysan with YSMU rector Dr. Narimanyan

“The course has been very well received,” said Matevosyan. “It is being held at the university’s Therapeutic and Family Dentistry Department, with presently 10 post-graduate students and eight university professors enrolled. This number is expected to increase in the next academic year.”

Matevosyan, an accomplished and experienced clinician from Cambridge, relocated to Yerevan in September 2014 for a three-year term leading this exciting program on CYSCA’s behalf. “The enthusiasm of the students and the faculty for this course has been overwhelming, and I am confident, that upon graduating and joining the medical workforce in Armenia, their new skills in preventive dentistry will have a positive impact on patients’ long-term health,” she said.

YSMU held a donation ceremony in its rectorate on March 4, where CYSCA and Matevosyan were recognized for their efforts in developing this first-of-a-kind program in Armenia and for raising funds for the much-needed instruments that are used in the practical portion of the course. Present at the ceremony were Dr. Narimanyan, rector of the Yerevan Medical University; David Gevorkyan, chief of foreign relations of the Yerevan Municipality; Dr. Lazar Yessayan, dean of the Dental Department and chief dentist at the Ministry of Health in Armenia; along with representatives from several local media outlets.

Karina Matevosyan with graduate student Gor Davtyan
Karina Matevosyan with graduate student Gor Davtyan

“Preventive dentistry is very important, because these experts can help prevent a number of pathologies of dental hard tissue and inflammatory periodontal disease,” explained Yessayan. “Thanks to the efforts of CYSCA, funds were raised from the local Boston community to purchase sets of instruments and materials for use in training future dentists in preventive dentistry.”

Narimanyan concluded the ceremony, saying, “We need preventive medicine in all disciplines. The university will increase its financial commitment to expanding more preventive medicine programs in the future.”

CYSCA is an award-winning sister city organization founded in 1987 through the initiative of the Cambridge Peace Commission. Over the past 28 years, CYSCA has been instrumental in fostering an exchange of ideas and competencies among the citizens in the cities of Cambridge and Yerevan, and their regions. CYSCA’s professional development programs and teacher and student exchange programs, as well as humanitarian aid projects, have made a huge impact on the lives of thousands over the years. For more information, visit www.cysca.org.

Guest Contributor

Guest Contributor

Guest contributions to the Armenian Weekly are informative articles or press releases written and submitted by members of the community.

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