ULAN BATOR, July 30 (Xinhua) -- International medical charity Doctors Without Borders provided free dental checkups and treatment for about 8,500 people in northern Selenge Province in Mongolia, a member of parliament said Monday.

Navaanyunden Oyundari said here at a press conference that 26 oral hygienists from the charity provided free checkups and treatment for about 8,500 residents.

This is the 12th year of the initiative and the dentists agreed to provide checkups next year too.

Tooth decay is the most prevalent chronic problem among Mongolians, especially children.

According to the Ministry of Health, 80-90 percent of Mongolian children aged between 2-12 suffer from dental decay.