KNYSNA NEWS - Western Cape Government Health and Wellness dentist Dr Dillon Manuel and his team have earned two major national awards with their model of innovation that is reshaping community health services in the region.
They have impressed with their determined push to improve access to oral healthcare in the Knysna and Bitou sub-districts.
Over the past two years, the team has expanded services through five new clinic access points and delivered widespread preventative care.
Their RotaryDent outreach drive alone provided 898 dental procedures to 336 children, while an early childhood development programme trained 293 teachers at 68 facilities, engaged 1 299 children in a daily brushing routine, and distributed more than 1 700 oral hygiene packs.
These efforts were recognised at the National Batho Pele and Innovation Awards (NBP&IA), where the team won both the Citizen-Focused Innovation National Award and the GEMS Health Award for Most Impactful Health Innovation in South Africa.
The awards honour exemplary public-service initiatives across government, state entities, academia and civil society.
"It was an immense privilege and true honour to represent our district and the Western Cape at the national awards. Our primary motivation is always service to our communities, not recognition, and these accolades affirm the tangible impact of that dedication," Manuel said.
Provincial Recognition at ICON25
Manuel's work has also drawn provincial acclaim. At the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness' Innovation Convention 2025 (ICON25), his team was named runner-up for a series of practical, resource-savvy solutions aimed at extending care in underserved areas.
Among the highlighted initiatives were the conversion of unused dental chairs into mobile units, extended service hours, and partnerships with community organisations to deliver preventative oral care to rural patients. These measures have also helped reduce appointment waiting times.
"Dr Manuel's out-of-the-box initiatives have opened doors for extraordinary collaboration and truly meaningful health outcomes in our communities," said Heliza le Roux, director for the Garden Route and Central Karoo districts.
"His leadership reflects the very essence of public service, innovation driven by compassion, partnerships rooted in trust and a relentless commitment to improving access for our most vulnerable."
With both national and provincial recognition behind them, the team says the work is far from over.
"This is just the start. We are looking forward to the next season in our oral health department," said Manuel.
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