The Vila Real de Santo António City Council is evaluating the “VRSA a Sorrir” project, and the Social Action division called the citizens covered by the program, inviting them to give testimonies and fill in some satisfaction questionnaires.
“VRSA a Sorrir” is an initiative of the municipality of Vilarreal, launched in September 2009, which aims to provide free dental services to the most disadvantaged residents.
The project is based on a protocol with six dental clinics and dentists in the municipality, providing, at no cost, treatments to people not covered by the National Health Service (SNS).
In the two evaluation sessions held this week, the majority of participants thanked the municipality for the fact that their quality of life had improved and for having had the opportunity to smile again.
“The impeccable way in which I was treated and the speed with which I recovered from my problem was one of the best things that could have happened to me”, says Dionísio dos Santos Estêvão, one of the residents covered by the program.
Also treated through the program “VRSA a Sorrir” José António Pereira, 62, resident in Aldeia Nova (Monte Gordo), became aware of this social valence through the media and claims that his life "changed" in six months.
«Before, problems with the mouth made it difficult for me to eat, speak or even smile. Afterwards, the financial restrictions were also postponing the treatments», began by explaining this patient, who received two new prostheses. «Now, I can say that everything has changed», concluded José Pereira.
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