Hundreds of residents from Teso turned up on Tuesday at the Kenya Medical Training College (KMTC) in Kocholia to benefit from free dental services offered to restore dignity and put a smile on many with dental problems.
The camp, which was organised by Brush for Life International, a USA-based organisation, has a primary focus on preventive care and education on dental health management to mitigate tooth decay and gum diseases, which are rampant in rural areas.
The services that were provided included oral examinations, tooth fillings, teeth polishing, and dental extractions.
Teso North MP Oku Kaunya, who partnered with BFL International and KMTC, challenged the government through SHA to increase the allocation for dental services, noting that dental treatments are very expensive and require maximum attention for strong teeth for a better life.
Speaking at Teso KMTC at Kocholia during a free dental camp where over 600 dental patients turned up for the services, Kaunya noted that there was a need for sensitisation and employment of more dental specialists to mitigate the chronic dental problems which have denied many a smile.
“Dental services in Kenya are considered expensive primarily due to a shortage of dentists in the country, leading to high demand for limited services, coupled with the fact that SHA does not fully cover most dental procedures, forcing people to pay out of their pocket for most dental treatments,” noted Kaunya.
Kaunya called for sustained efforts in dental health awareness and pledged to support initiatives that improve access to affordable oral care in the region.
“The government must restructure medical colleges to ensure at least more dental specialists are trained and recruited in government health facilities to boost service delivery to many who hustle to get these services as a result of a shortage of dental experts,” Kaunya added.
His sentiments were echoed by Lynelle Deroo from Brush For Life International, USA, who challenged residents on the need to exercise healthy brushing and care of teeth for a broad smile.
Deroo, who is leading the campaign at KMTC—Teso Campus, stressed the significance of preventive health care by conceptualising the issue of oral care among the residents.
“Sustaining good oral hygiene is the beginning to achieving decent health. Many of the dental problems that we encounter today, such as cavities and periodontal disease, are easily controllable through maintaining a good regimen of brushing, flossing, and regular dental visits,” she said.
In addition, she encouraged the residents of Kocholia to adopt proper dental care habits like lowering sugar intake and using toothpaste when brushing their teeth.
Deroo pointed out that there is a need for more secondary oral health education and also called on various stakeholders, including the government, private sector, and community leaders, to support ongoing dental health initiatives so that the public is aware and has reliable access to dental care.
“We need more resources, more trained professionals, and continuous education to ensure long-term impact,” she stated.
For most of the people in attendance, this programme was their chance to obtain professional dental treatment.
“I have been in extraordinary pain for months because it was never in my budget to fix my teeth. But today, I received professional dental services by having a tooth pulled out for free, and I feel overjoyed,” said Caroline Atyang, a resident of Kocholia.
Little children also gained from the campaign, as their parents brought them for medical consultations.
Plans are underway to teach community health volunteers basic oral hygiene so that the campaign can be more effective.
For many residents, it was an opportunity to receive free dental care that would help them lead a healthier and brighter life.
By Absalom Namwalo and Owen Mutai
