As part of efforts to improve oral healthcare access in remote areas, Cimas Health Group has partnered with Smilestar, a UK-based dental charity, to provide free dental care in Matabeleland North.
The two-week-long outreach program, which concluded on March 20, delivered essential dental services to underserved communities in Victoria Falls and Hwange.
Dr. Mitesh Badiani, founder of Smilestar, praised the collaboration, highlighting its success in bringing much-needed dental treatment to communities with limited access to healthcare.
“Cimas Health Group’s support, including the provision of their doctor, Alan Gura, a nurse, and a fully equipped mobile dental clinic, significantly enhanced our ability to deliver quality care with more treatment options for the local population,” Dr. Badiani said.
The outreach commenced on March 10 at Chinotimba Clinic in Victoria Falls, where patients received treatment over four days.
The medical team then moved to Hwange, operating from Miombo Safari Camp in Dete from March 17 to March 20. Services provided included restorative work, periodontal treatments, and simpler endodontic procedures that could be completed in a single visit.
Cimas Health Group played a crucial role in the program by providing a fully equipped mobile clinic.
According to Cimas, the clinic offers the same level of care as a high-end dental facility, ensuring that patients in remote locations receive high-quality treatment.
“Partnering Smilestar and providing our fully equipped mobile clinic for free, along with our doctors, is a testament to our commitment to extending essential medical services to underserved areas,” said Cimas Health Group CEO, Vuli Ndlovu.
Dr. Badiani emphasised that Smilestar’s model relies on volunteer dentists and support staff who self-fund their trips to make such initiatives possible.
He expressed gratitude to UK-based Zimbabwean Mark Cockburn for facilitating the Smilestar team’s visit to Zimbabwe.
“Smilestar relies entirely on the dedication of volunteer dentists and support staff. For this outreach, the volunteers generously committed up to two weeks of their time and money to ensure its success,” he noted.
Reflecting on the outreach, Dr. Badiani pointed out that many of the dental issues encountered were preventable, underscoring the need for better oral hygiene education in schools. He also highlighted the financial barriers to dental care in the region, noting that a single tooth extraction can cost up to US$80, a price unaffordable for many residents.
Looking to the future, Dr. Badiani expressed interest in expanding the initiative to other parts of Zimbabwe but stressed the need for strong partnerships.
“We would love to expand, but we require support from partners who can provide free accommodation, food, and transport for our team,” he stated.
Meanwhile, Mr. Ndlovu reaffirmed Cimas Health Group’s dedication to enhancing healthcare accessibility across Zimbabwe.
“Through this outreach, we were not only providing immediate dental treatment but also educating and empowering communities with sustainable oral health knowledge that will benefit them for years to come,” he said.
As part of its continued efforts, Cimas Health Group officials participated in the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s World Oral Health Day commemorations at Kusile Government Primary School in Lupane on March 20.
Share Your Comments