The power of partnerships in advancing community oral healthcare will take centre stage today, as the Tygerberg Oral Health Centre and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) unveils its latest addition: a state-of-the-art Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) unit.
This donation highlights ongoing efforts by the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, UWC and its partners to improve dental services within our communities. The generous donation, along with training to staff, was made possible by Vatech, a global X-ray imaging company based in South Korea, who has partnered with South African-based supplier SciVision Medical. The CBCT unit, additional equipment and training is valued at over R3 million.
The Vatech Green X 18 CBCT offers the latest technological advancements, which will allow dental professionals to deliver more accurate diagnoses, precise treatments and overall improved patient experiences. The Green X machine is renowned for minimal radiation exposure and energy conservation. While historical challenges in the X-ray industry revolved around achieving image precision, the subsequent focus shifted towards mitigating radiation dosage.
Dr Keith Cloete, head of the Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness, acknowledged the generosity of the donors and the impact of partnerships in advancing healthcare. âThe addition of the Cone Beam Computed Tomography (CBCT) technology to our dental imaging service represents another significant milestone in our ongoing efforts to introduce appropriate technology to improve our patient care, through enhanced precision of our interventions. We proudly celebrate and embrace partnerships of
this nature, as we navigate the introduction of technological advances in a responsible and proactive mannerâ.
Western Cape Minister of Health and Wellness, Professor Nomafrench Mbombo, attended the launch event and thanked all partners for their contributions to healthcare in the province.
âWe extend our gratitude to Vatech for their generosity through the donation of the cutting-edge Dento-facial CBCT unit and comprehensive service support training. Their donation exemplifies the transformative impact that collaboration between public institutions and private organisations can have on advancing dental services and ensuring the well-being of our community. The Western Cape Department of Health and Wellness remains steadfast in its commitment to embracing state-of-the-art technology,
thereby enhancing the quality of services provided by our dedicated professionals.â