In Argentina traditional treatment of oral diseases is costly and families of low income have little access to dental care. Argentina does offer free health services, but the absence of government investment in dental care and proper oral hygiene awareness is leading to serious oral health complications within the slum communities, often with irreversible effects.

Families from the slums are often under educated and have little or no knowledge of oral hygiene. Under-funded public health services in low-income areas offer only the possibility of extractions.
Restorative care, even for children, is not an option.
Thus, cavities, tooth loss, tooth decay, abscesses, pain and infection are commonplace even among the youngest of children.