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Oral diseases and pain affect about 3.5 billion people worldwide, disproportionately impacting disadvantaged populations, especially in remote rural areas. This affects their ability to eat (resulting in malnutrition), speak, work, and attend school. A lack of access to treatment can cause ongoing pain, facial disfigurement, social isolation, sepsis, and left untreated – can be fatal. 75% of those affected live in low and middle-income countries. Although it is the most commonly occurring non-communicable disease, it is one of the easiest to prevent.

Tanzania is a country with just 600 dentists serving a population of 70 million people, most of whom are based in cities. Access to care, low oral health literacy and treatment affordability are major issues.

Bridge2Aid supports local dental professionals to run programmes. This work is conducted in partnership with local dental associations, NGOs, and always with permission and by invitation from the Health Ministries. Their projects aim to reinforce the current healthcare structure and advocate for access to oral health education and treatment.

I will be travelling to Tanzania, to take part in a Bridge2Aid outreach programmes in February 2025. Local people will receive immediate treatment during this programme, but the key focus is training and building confidence amongst the local Dental Therapists. Dental Therapists are often the only dental healthcare workers in a District, but they receive no continuing professional development or peer support. After the 2 week face to face programme, the team I will be with, will then provide virtual mentoring for the Therapists for the next 6 months. This will ensure that the training is appropriate, effective and the skills they will be taught will offer long-term access to dental treatment in their communities.