As the Chief Dental Technician at the Nelson Mandela Academic Hospital, this experience was not only professionally rewarding but also a powerful reminder of the pressing oral health challenges faced by rural communities. Witnessing the joy and relief on the children’s faces affirmed the importance of accessible, community-based healthcare.
The outreach was part of the “Bring a Smile” campaign, a collaborative effort spearheaded by the Department of Health in partnership with trusted allies like Operation Smile. While widely known for cleft care, this campaign goes far beyond that it’s about delivering a holistic package of child-friendly, accessible healthcare services to communities where they’re needed most.
As a joint team, we provided a range of essential health services designed to meet the unique needs of children in the area. An estimate of 2000 learners are set to benefit from the school health service and these include oral health education and, speech and audiology, eye testing, and physiotherapy support.
According to the World Health Organization (2023), nearly 3.5 billion people worldwide are affected by oral diseases, with the vast majority living in middle-income countries. Even more alarming is that only 2% of dentists practice in low-income regions, including much of Sub-Saharan Africa. This stark disparity fuels a ripple effect of preventable hardships, chronic pain, untreated infections, difficulties with speaking and eating, and frequent absences from school. These statistics are not just numbers, they are a call to action, highlighting the critical need for accessible, equitable oral healthcare.
The community Lusikisiki reminded us that collaboration is key. When public institutions, NGOs, and communities come together, we can reach even the most isolated areas, not just to treat disease, but to restore dignity, rebuild confidence, and inspire hope.
This campaign marks the third rollout of such an initiative in the Eastern Cape, and it’s only the beginning. With strong community support and committed partners, we’re building the momentum needed to expand these outreach services to more rural areas across the province. I’m proud to have been part of this campaign, and even more inspired by the impact we achieved together.
Let’s keep bringing smiles, restoring health, and investing in the future of our children, one community at a time.
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