Dental Clinic

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DCMC’s well recognized Dental Center includes state of art X-ray and panorex diagnostic capabilities, advanced endodontic and computer technology for crowns and bridges. Expansion will include advanced training for dentists and technicians, oral hygiene campaigns and rural interventions.

Since opening in 2007, the Dental Clinic has become a model for modern dentistry in Tanzania. Today, it is one of Tanzania’s most well-equipped and professionally staffed dental clinics and training facilities. In its seven years, the Dental Clinic has served more than 20,000 patient visits.

COMPREHENSIVE DENTAL CARE

Poor dental health can lead to multiple complications, and there is a crucial need for services throughout all of Tanzania.

According to recent statistics, there is one dentist for every 120,000 patients in Tanzania. Oral health education and prevention is an ongoing goal of the Dental Clinic to benefit communities surrounding DCMC Trust. Patients often travel great distances to receive care at the DCMC Dental Clinic, which provides the following comprehensive dental care services under the leadership of Dr. Charles Rabemahefa with assistance from Dr. Francis Mdoe:

Ultrasonic cleaning and scaling
Extractions
Fillings
Root canals
Crowns and bridges
Student screening and prophylaxis
School prevention program
Intern training

Using State-of-the-Art Technology

High-quality, low-cost crowns and bridges are made for Dental Clinic patients using state-of-the-art technology donated by National Dentex in Boston. National Dentex’s donated computer equipment scans the model of a patient’s tooth that has been prepared for a crown or bridge. The scan is sent via internet to Green Laboratory in Heber Springs, Arkansas, and a high-quality, accurate product is created overnight form ceramic material and returned by mail. Green Laboratory provided 20 hours of training via Skype to the Dental Clinic professionals to help them bring this world-class technology to their patients.

Emphasizing Prevention

Since its beginning, prevention education has been a key component of the Dental Clinic’s mission. In 2015, more than 450 students from neighboring Ntyuka Village were examined through the Dental Outreach Program. Of those, nearly 70% required urgent dental care. To ensure they are treated, the clinic has reserved time just for them. Based on the success of this program and the overwhelming need for oral health care, the dental clinic hopes to expand this outreach in 2017.

Staff

The Dental Clinic employs two dentists, a dental therapist and five support staff full time.

Impact

The Dental Clinic models improved 24/7 dental care and technology for Tanzania. The clinic:

Trains school staff and volunteers on dental prevention and basic oral care
Trains dental student interns
Provides diagnostic and Panorex x-rays
Provides services which include prevention and scaling, extractions, root canals, and crowns and bridges through three-shape dimension dental scanner

One man’s chronic dental infection nearly cost him his life, but three weeks of care at DCMC restored his health.

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Dental Clinic