We believe healthy smiles should be accessible to everyone, regardless of location or resources. Recently, Dr Ash (Dentist) and her family went on an incredible journey to Kenya, where they conducted several oral health programmes to educate and care for children in remote communities. She was also honoured to be a guest speaker at the University of Nairobi Dental College.
While in Kenya, Dr Ash and her family had the opportunity to go on safaris and enjoy other aspects of this amazing country. The trip was a wonderful experience, helping children and meeting some people she’ll never forget.
Making a Difference in Ole Yenko Village
The outreach team distributed paediatric oral health care packs and conducted sessions on toothbrushing techniques and tooth-friendly foods and drinks. Morning tea and a friendly football match added joy to the day, helping establish meaningful connections with the community.
We received a heartwarming welcome from the incredible community in Ole Yenko village. The children and families participated enthusiastically in discussions about oral health and diet,”
shares Dr Ash
Supporting the Olmalaika Girls Home
A highlight of the journey was visiting the Olmalaika Girls Home, where Dr Ash’s son Ahren made new friends, learned games and shared laughter with the little girls. The children were delighted to receive Christmas presents that our Shenton Park Village Dental community had generously donated in Shenton Park.
Before the trip, our practice held a toy appeal, collecting an impressive 30 kilograms of toys! These gifts brought so much joy to the girls, making their Christmas truly special.
Providing Professional Care at Olmalaika Dental
The team also hosted a dental camp at the purpose-built Olmalaika Dental Clinic, offering essential care for the local community. Services included extractions, emergency root canals, and restorations. Before concluding the camp, they helped a young woman with an orthodontic consultation, extracting retained deciduous teeth to alleviate crowding and improve her smile.
Making an Educational Impact at the Turi Children’s Programme
Dr Ash and her team conducted dental examinations at the Turi Children’s Programme (TCP) and noted interesting findings. Despite limited access to toothbrushes and proper brushing techniques, the children had relatively low caries rates, likely due to their healthy traditional diet consisting of Ugali, Sukumawiki, and homegrown vegetables.
We were pleasantly surprised by the children’s enthusiastic acceptance at the Turi Tots and Reception Class. They were engaged and well-mannered as we spoke about oral health and diet. All received our paediatric oral health packs as we discussed toothbrushing techniques.
The team also visited the Mahtumaini Children’s Programme, where they focused on myofunctional training for children with special needs. By collaborating with physiotherapists and occupational therapists, they developed exercises to improve orofacial strength in children experiencing conditions such as epilepsy and cerebral palsy.
Your Support Makes a Difference
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to our patients for their generous toy donations and ongoing support. When you visit our clinic, 10 cents of every dollar is contributed to our outreach projects, providing oral health education and care to children in remote communities.
Through these initiatives, we’re promoting dental health and fostering environmental sustainability by using eco-friendly oral hygiene products in regions where recycling and waste disposal are challenging.
Would you like to learn more about our outreach programmes or contribute to our future initiatives?
Contact our team today to discover how you can be part of creating healthy smiles worldwide!