KNYSNA NEWS - Oral health services in the Knysna and Bitou sub-districts have improved significantly over recent years, thanks to a series of strategic interventions and innovations led by the local oral health team.
Western Cape Government Health and Wellness communications officer Nadia Ferreira said the two sub-districts are serving a population of about 180 000 people.
The dental team is comprised of one permanent dentist and assistant, one sessional dentist and assistant, and an oral hygienist.
In 2021 they faced immense challenges, including long waiting times, a high burden of dental disease (particularly pain and sepsis), and poor access to services for patients in low-income communities.
Dentist Dillon Manuel said they were fortunate to get a mobile dental sponsorship through Rotary, which allowed them to carry all tools in a big case so it is easy to move around.
They also had a need for mobile chairs and asked the head office team if they could refurbish some of the older dental chairs for use in smaller clinics.
"This was done by adding wheels, which means they can be stored when not in use, thus not using up space when we are not there. We now have eight chairs (service points), and together with our mobile dental unit, we can render the service at our smaller clinics as well," said Manuel.
The team also included other improve-ments such as evening and Saturday clinics. Saturday clinics at Knysna Provincial hospital are now serving an average of 25 patients per session.
"We have also improved the booking process, which makes access easier and reduces missed appointments. In the first six months of 2024, over 1 550 patients were treated at the newly established service points. The oral hygienist also visits schools where she forms part of the school health programme to promote preventative measures," Manuel said.
Community collaboration and international partnerships
A highlight of the department's recent success is RotaryDent 2023, a collaborative initiative with the Department of Education, the US-based non-profit organisation Medicine Arm in Arm, and the Rotary Club of Knysna.
During the week-long outreach, 391 schoolchildren aged six to 16 received free dental treatment from a combined team of local and international volunteer dentists.
"These partnerships have also allowed us to significantly upgrade our equipment, enabling better service delivery and expanded outreach," Manuel said.
In partnership with the Knysna Education Trust, a local NPO supporting early childhood development, the team launched an oral hygiene education programme for preschoolers aged 0-6. The aim is to tackle poor dental habits early and reduce long-term disease.
Looking ahead: Innovation and expansion
Plans are under way for a high-impact dental pilot project in August this year, targeting four primary schools in Knysna. The vision is to expand this initiative across the Rural East Ecosystem, with support from clinicians throughout the Garden Route and Central Karoo.
Future goals include introducing root canal therapy and prosthodontic treatments for elderly patients, employing dental therapists to provide cost-effective care and relieve pressure on dentists and exploring advanced dental technologies to improve treatment delivery.
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