“Even if one day you forget about me, because life became more joyful and fulfilling, I think I’ll be okay.” This line from Ri Jeong-hyeok to Yoon Se-ri in Crash Landing on You left a deep impression on many viewers. The drama provided a rare glimpse into the everyday lives of North Korean citizens. Watching scenes of eating meals, attending school, doing morning exercises, and trading goods at local markets was both fascinating and eye-opening. In one particular scene where members of the 5th Company shopped at a market, there were shampoos, conditioners, and soaps, but no toothpaste or toothbrushes in sight. This detail sparked a curious question. “Why wasn’t toothpaste shown? Are there no good oral hygiene products available in North Korea, like the well-known Korean brands sold abroad?” This small moment led us to wonder about how oral hygiene is managed in North Korea, and whether there are other effective ways to improve dental care.

Children in North Korea’s rural regions suffer from untreated cavities every day. While urban areas may have access to modern hospitals, people in rural parts are often excluded from such resources and cannot easily visit dentists. Instead, many resort to folk remedies to manage their pain. These methods, however, are unscientific and frequently lead to secondary or tertiary infections, worsening the problem. In fact, a study revealed that 96.9% of North Korean defectors were in very poor oral health.

Preventative care is essential, yet dental education is almost entirely absent in schools. Good oral health is fundamental to everyday life. It enables children to eat properly, absorb nutrients, and grow up strong enough to work and live healthy lives. That’s why our team, Tooth, is committed to addressing this dental health crisis among North Korean children.

Our team, Tooth, was formed to improve oral health among children in North Korea. We are proud recipients of the Grand Prize in the third cohort of The Bridge’s Korea Impact Makers program. Building on this experience, we aim to raise funds and collaborate with partner organizations to implement our project. One of our main initiatives is to feature a raccoon character in a four-panel comic strip on the covers of notebooks. This allows children to absorb oral health information naturally as part of their daily routine. In addition, we plan to develop animated videos that will help instill healthy brushing habits through recurring viewings.

Through these efforts, our goal is not only to prevent cavities and maintain strong teeth for North Korean children, but also to improve oral health awareness in their communities and inspire long-term change. Tooth is dedicated to delivering effective dental health education and creating sustainable habits in children. Our long-term vision is to expand beyond North Korea to other developing countries where oral health issues persist. We aim to reduce dependence on folk remedies and promote preventive care worldwide.

Currently, Tooth is facing delays in notebook and animation production, as well as distribution. To address these challenges, we plan to secure seed funding through The Bridge crowdfunding platform. The funds raised will be used primarily for the production of educational materials and the establishment of our first distribution network. To maximize efficiency, we are also seeking cost-saving collaborations with private companies and identifying essential local partners in North Korea to support our initial operations. These strategies will help us optimize the use of funds and secure the necessary resources to move the project forward. Join us in helping North Korean children overcome dental caries through education and care.