KNYSNA NEWS - Recently, Rotary Knysna ended its biggest humanitarian project of the year: RotaryDent 2023, a joint venture between USA-based organisation Medicine: Arm-in-Arm, the Rotary Clubs of Dundee and Knysna, and the Western Cape departments of health and education.
Over the four days of treatment – 17 to 20 April – 391 children were treated, involving 450 extractions, 262 fillings and hundreds of smaller procedures.
Many hours of preparation and work had preceded the actual treatment week, which was held in facilities provided by the Knysna Provincial Hospital.
The driving force was Medicine: Arm-in-Arm which under the leadership of Dorothy Steinert brings mobile dental services to challenging areas of the world. This is often done in partnership with Rotary Clubs.
The first RotaryDent project in Knysna was held in 2018. Both in 2018 and 2023 Knysna was greatly supported by the Rotary Club of Dundee. Rotarians Johann du Plessis and Marlyn van Zuydam brought the stored dental equipment to Knysna by road and provided invaluable practical support.
The visiting team of 19 volunteers consisted of dentists, dental hygienists and highly trained support staff. Two dentists were from Finland and the rest from the USA. They worked with a team from the Knysna Provincial Hospital. Treatment stations were set up in the hospital and in two outside mobile clinics.
The phenomenal dental team that flew in for Rotary Dent this year.
The Rotary team under the leadership of Mick Furman supported the project by providing accommodation, catering, transport and administrative support. Furman was a whizz at organising additional funding and liaising with the South African departments of health and education.
A holding station was set up for the learners while they waited for treatment. This consisted of a "mommy's group" of Rotarians, Rotary Anns and Interactors looking after the children.
Games were set up and Roanda Bakhuizen provided face-painting.
The Interact team of Knysna High provided invaluable assistance by entertaining, comforting and caring for the patients, many of who were nervous and anxious.
Dentists at work on a young patient during Rotary Dent week. Photo: Blake Linder
Over 5 000 learners were screened at three primary schools and three high schools in Knysna during the preceding months by the principal dentist of the Knysna/Bitou Subdistrict, Dr Dillon Manuel, together with his team, Dr Julian Joubert, Filicity-Ann Holtzhauzen and Siya Sishuba, assisted by a number of local volunteer dentists. Manuel will continue to treat learners who were identified as needing dental treatment.
Meetings are planned to discuss ways in which the Knysna District can take measures to improve the dental health of our learners, and instil good habits and routines to maintain this health.
Afterwards the Medicine: Arm-in-Arm volunteers left for a well-deserved few days at a game reserve adjoining the Kruger National Park. The Knysna Rotary Club would like to express its thanks to all involved in any way in this very special project.
Rotarian Margi McAlpine at work sterilising dental implements.
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