But what is the purpose of the Traversée du Sourire?
The humanitarian project
We want to raise local people's awareness of oral hygiene. We will use the resources and means available to each country.
The goal is not to revolutionize this essential care, but to provide support and lasting awareness. And that takes on its full meaning for two passionate like us about our professions.
By bringing materials and information to populations, we want to make them aware that they can act on their health with simple gestures.
Our red thread will be to distribute toothbrushes made of bamboo or recycled materials and biodegradable dental floss. and make “homemade” toothpaste with them. For a better coherence of our project and thus reduce pollution.
We will carry out our steps in collaboration with local dentists and hospitals in order to obtain their help and to have a better visibility concerning the real needs of their populations and to target their expectations.
We will intervene in schools, clinics, boarding schools or orphanages, depending on the countries we will cross, in isolated towns and villages and we will constantly adapt the content of our exchanges.
The sports challenge
28,000km and 15 countries... By bike! We have chosen an economical and ecological way to limit our carbon footprint.
Above all, the bike will allow us to stay in line with our intention to preserve nature, to access isolated villages and to move forward at human speed.
We think the cycling is another approach to fully discovering nature, which will leave an imprint on us indelible.
Realize..
Our toothbrushes that pollute!
“According to researchers, no less than 4.9 billion non-biodegradable toothbrushes are poured into the oceans every year."
“Oral diseases and conditions cause a significant burden of disease in many countries and have lifelong effects, causing discomfort, pain, disfiguring lesions and even the death.
It is estimated that nearly 3.5 billion people are affected by oral diseases.
Untreated cavities in permanent teeth are the most common condition according to the 2017 Global Burden of Disease report
Most low- and middle-income countries are unable to offer prevention and treatment services
from oral diseases.
Most oral conditions are largely preventable and can be treated at an early stage. "
