Dental outreach in Tanzania

Henry Schein Dental UK donated health care products to the AOG Foundation Trust Ltd and Tanzania Development Trust for dental treatments to the underserved population in Musoma, Tanzania. In June, a dental team representing both organisations went to the Musoma-based Lake Victoria Disability Centers to provide urgently needed oral care.

During the outreach, a team of 12 dentists and dental nurses, led by Dr. M. K. Vasant MBE, saw several patients and performed routine dentistry. The team also removed a benign fibro-osseous lesion of a 25 year old patient. In addition, disabled and school children received oral health education and instruction on the proper use of the free tooth brushes and tooth pastes they were given.

Tanzania Development Trust has been working with communities in Tanzania since 1975. The organisation has changed the lives of thousands of people in Tanzania’s poorest communities by helping provide clean water, agricultural support, education, solar power, healthcare, and new and improved livelihoods. ^*)

AOG is a society of likeminded UK dentists. The main objectives are to promote and advance current concepts of dentistry in order to improve dental services to the public through peer review and friendship. Through its partner society, AOG Foundation Ltd, it promotes charitable activities in the UK and abroad. ^**)

 “Dr. Vasant has been associated with this project for a number of years and we are grateful for his continuous support for the people of Musoma,” said Dr. Ruby Austin, Chairman of the AOG Foundation Trust. “In this part of the world, the practice of infant oral mutilation is rife. Children suffer a lot from this situation. Thanks to Dr. Vasant and Henry Schein’s product donation, we are in the position to continue our efforts to eradicate this malpractice, to help already affected children, and to make a difference to their lives.”

Henry Schein’s donation is part of its partnership with the ICD Global Visionary Fund (GVF), and an initiative of Henry Schein Cares, the company’s global corporate social responsibility programme. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services, and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.

The International College of Dentists (ICD) is a leading international honor society for dentists. Conceived in 1920 with members in 122 countries, who have been awarded the prestigious title of Fellow in the ICD (FICD). Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only. A nominated dentist must pass a rigorous, peer review process leading to the recognition of the individual’s “outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry for the benefit of humankind”.

“We are delighted to support this long-term mission in Tanzania that aims to enhance the oral health of disadvantaged people and above all of children,” said Simon Gambold, Henry Schein’s Vice President Marketing EMEA Dental Group. “Goals of our global corporate social responsibility programme, Henry Schein Cares, are to increase access to oral care and to support dental professionals in the provision of desperately needed treatment. With this worthwhile programme and through our cooperation with the International College of Dentists, we are able to fulfill them.”

Additional information about this mission can be found under: http://helpinghealthhappen.org/musoma-blog/

   ^*)  http://www.aoguk.org/

^**)   http://www.tanzdevtrust.org/

1. Oral health education and instruction the Musoma-based Lake Victoria Disability Centers
2. Benign fibro-osseous lesion of a 25 year old patient – removed during the dental mission