Why ‘Kochkok’

A Name with Cultural Significance and Meaning

Kochkok, from the Baluchi word “Kochk,” symbolizes the beauty of bright, healthy teeth. This name reflects our mission to protect and enhance the precious “pearls” in each smile, resonating with the communities we serve.

The Kochkook story

The Journey of the Kochkok Mobile Dental Clinic

in 2019, Soroush Salavatian envisioned a mobile dental clinic to serve underserved communities in Sistan-Baluchistan near the Jazmoorian Wetland. Despite interest from volunteer dentists, a lack of portable equipment hindered their efforts. The idea for the Kochkok Mobile Dental Clinic solidified during the Norooz holiday when 90 dentists volunteered, but portable dental units were unavailable. Soroush then focused on creating a mobile unit, acquiring a caravan through an auction. He modified it with the help of experts, overcoming structural and logistical challenges to transform it into a functional clinic. By mid-2021, further work was needed to ensure the caravan's durability, including resolving leaks and reinforcing the interior for dental equipment. In June 2023, after numerous repairs, Soroush and his team installed key dental tools, X-ray machines, and culturally inspired artwork by Nastaran Anbari. They launched an Instagram account, "Kochkok.dental," to recruit volunteer dentists. On March 29, 2024, the clinic journeyed from Tehran to Fanuj, encountering delays but gaining support from local communities. Operations began in April 2024, initially in the village of Jogaz, with community rapport assisting in clinic setup. Early challenges included equipment shortages and staff adjustments, but the team persevered. By June 2024, the clinic had treated 457 patients, mainly focusing on women and children. As demand increased, additional dentists and tools were acquired. By August 2024, Kochkok had served 885 patients and delivered over 4,000 dental services. Soroush’s initiative continues to bring vital dental care to remote communities, showcasing resilience, compassion, and dedication.

Why ‘Kochkok’

A Name with Cultural Significance and Meaning

Kochkok, from the Baluchi word “Kochk,” symbolizes the beauty of bright, healthy teeth. This name reflects our mission to protect and enhance the precious “pearls” in each smile, resonating with the communities we serve.

Outreach Initiative

At Kochkok, our mission has gone beyond merely providing dental treatments; we have worked tirelessly to promote a culture of toothbrushing and improve oral health awareness through our outreach programs. One of our most significant initiatives has been distributing over 20,000 toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste during events such as Mehr school kit distributions, aid packages, and hygiene bundles. These activities aim to raise public awareness and encourage better oral hygiene practices.

We have also implemented impactful educational programs, including teaching students proper brushing techniques using specialized dental models in schools. In addition, we collaborated with dental professionals to design educational posters that were installed in 500 classrooms, delivering health messages in a more visual and accessible way.

At Kochkok, one of our main priorities has been to change local perspectives on oral and dental hygiene. Through one-on-one and group training sessions and daily conversations with patients, we have successfully raised community awareness about the importance of maintaining oral health. Mothers and children have always been at the center of our focus since mothers, by learning health principles, can take on a leadership role in maintaining family health. Providing toothbrushes, toothpaste, and dental floss to children and adults has also been a crucial part of these activities.

In the early days of Kochkok, many patients came to us with tooth pain and believed that extraction was their only solution. However, by offering treatments such as fillings and root canals, we witnessed a remarkable shift in attitudes. For instance, one elderly mother once asked us to save her loose front tooth by filling it instead of extracting it. This small yet meaningful change demonstrated the success of our cultural outreach.

Today, many patients strive to preserve their teeth and view extraction as a last resort. This shift in cultural perspective depicts Kochkok Mobile Dental Clinic has been successful in its public health initiatives of prevention and treatment of dental diseases. We are proud to have observed these positive changes in all the villages we have served. By continuing to provide dental care in the best possible way, we hope to foster healthier smiles and a stronger culture of oral hygiene in the local community.