28/04/2024
THEDI and B2A Led the Commemoration of the 2024 World Oral Health Day (WOHD) Event in Misungwi District - Mwanza, Tanzania
Maintaining good oral hygiene habits, such as brushing twice a day, visiting the dentist every six months, flossing, and limiting sugar intake, is crucial to ensuring healthy gums, preventing costly dental procedures, and mitigating long-term health concerns. Tanzania Health Environment and Development Initiatives (THEDI) and Bridge2Aid (B2A) are committed to improving access to quality oral healthcare services in six district councils of the Mwanza region, Tanzania. The initiative aims to address barriers such as low coverage, poor accessibility, lack of awareness, and limited resources, thereby enhancing the oral health outcomes of underserved populations.
The project is designed to enhance coverage and access to quality oral healthcare services through outreach programs and capacity-building training for Dental Therapists. Additionally, it aims to promote positive oral health behaviors and practices through school-based oral health promotion and the utilization of Community Health Workers (CHWs) to disseminate relevant oral health Information, Education, and Communication (IEC) materials within the community.
As part of the project activities, from March 19th to 20th, 2024, THEDI and B2A collaborated with the Misungwi District Council to lead the commemoration of the 2024 World Oral Health Day (WOHD) events. The event was held at Usagara Health Center and over the course of two days, the project registered a total of 118 clients (47 males and 71 females) with various oral health conditions. Oral health services were provided jointly by experts from THEDI, Chicco Specialized Dental Clinic, Hope Dental Center, and the Misungwi District Council.
The WOHD event was presided over by Hon. Kashinje Machibya, the Councilor of Usagara Ward and Chairperson of the Misungwi District. In his address, he expressed gratitude for selecting Misungwi as a project implementation site, highlighting its relevance and the community's need for such services. He also pledged his commitment to ensuring the project achieves its objectives.