KNYSNA NEWS - Years of dedicated service to improving oral healthcare for Knysna residents have earned Dr Dillon Manuel one of Rotary International's highest honours: the prestigious Paul Harris Fellowship.
The award was recently presented by outgoing 2025/26 Rotary Club of Knysna president Murro-Wayne Spies.
Named after Rotary International founder Paul Harris, the fellowship recognises individuals who have shown an outstanding commitment to Rotary's motto of 'Service Above Self'.
The reward is one of the highest honours the organisation can bestow.
Manuel received it for his exceptional service to the community, which extends far beyond his role at Knysna Provincial Hospital.
Transforming young smiles
One of the projects recognised was the 2025 RotaryDent programme, a partnership between the Eden and Central Karoo Department of Health and the Rotary Club of Knysna.
Led by Manuel and supported by dental teams from the Knysna, Bitou and Oudtshoorn subdistricts, the four-day initiative provided essential dental care to 334 learners from five schools across the greater Knysna area.
During the course of the programme, the teams performed 659 dental procedures, helping to clear a significant backlog of urgent cases. Treatment valued at up to R750 000 was provided free of charge.
Oral healthcare
The fellowship also recognises Manuel's leadership in promoting preventative oral healthcare.
After the 2023 RotaryDent programme highlighted the need to reach children at a younger age, the Rotary Club of Knysna partnered with the Knysna Education Trust (Ket) and the Department of Health to launch the Dental Hygiene Intervention Project in 2025.
The project focuses on pre-school children in Knysna and surrounding communities, teaching good oral hygiene habits and helping to prevent dental problems before they develop.
Manuel played a key role in establishing and rolling out the initiative, helping to improve access to quality dental care for some of the area's youngest residents.
‘We bring you the latest Garden Route, Hessequa, Karoo news’
