More than 20 years ago, Linda Moses, from Gugulethu, travelled the world as a theatre performer, but a car accident left him maimed – dashing much of his career hopes. All that was left of his front teeth were tiny fragments. He lost his confidence and carried deep-seated sadness. But things changed when the University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Mobile Dental Clinic showed up in his neighbourhood.
“I feel like a free man again, I can smile with confidence. It feels like they took my pain away,” said Moses on Monday. He was referring to the dental students who assisted him. The students were doing their community service thanks, in large part, to a generous R4.01-million donation from Islamic Relief SA (IRSA).
It was a welcome return to the neighbourhood. The mobile clinic’s last outreach programme in Gugulethu was in 2016. The UWC Faculty of Dentistry has been supporting clinic staff with essential medical supplies, but the need for staff and students to assist with dental care has become more urgent.
Last year’s donation from IRSA enabled the team to expand its dental services to more areas, including Gugulethu. In addition, the types of dental treatment have also been expanded. The students initially only performed extractions in the clinics, but now services like fillings and cleanings are also being performed. The project aims to incorporate other services, such as surgical extractions and orthodontics, at a later stage.
UWC Students working in the Mobile Dental Clinic at Gugulethu Clinic.
Moses, a 48-year-old father of six, said he would return to the clinic to get more information about dentures or implants. After his accident in 2001, doctors in the United States of America – where he had performed – offered facial reconstructive surgery for free. But their services did not extend to his teeth. “The [UWC] dentists were very nice and worked so quickly. It didn’t even hurt.”
Community-based training initiatives are at the core of UWC Dental students’ training. Faculty research shows that 84% of children under the age of 6 in the Western Cape have tooth decay.
The Chairperson of the Gugulethu Health Forum, Nowhi Mdayi, arrived early to monitor proceedings. She said: “We are happy as community representatives. The main issue is that services need to be rendered. We have been struggling all these years because people were queuing, and we have a shortage of doctors and dentists.”
She added they now need to ensure Gugulethu residents are aware of the dental services. “Today, it gives the community more exposure. When they see the mobile van, people will get to know it. What we are going to do is have community meetings, and even in our Ward Councillor’s meeting, we will try to spread the word.”
Dr Mark Paulse assisted as a clinical supervisor at the clinic and said it was encouraging to be so well-received by the residents. “So far, it has been great. The patients are quite excited to be here because they are getting dental treatments in their area. The students are also excited to be here because this is their first time doing this in Gugulethu. We can’t wait to see what the turnout will be eventually; if it’s already so good now, it will continue to spread by word of mouth.”
Dr Mark Paulse and Prof Faheema Kimmie-Dhansay of UWC’s Department of Community Oral Health.
Prof Faheema Kimmie-Dhansay of UWC’s Department of Community Oral Health coordinated the outreach from conception to execution. She said: “Everything is going really well, going according to plan. The students are enjoying the outreach setting, and we’re very grateful to Gugulethu Dental Clinic for giving us the opportunity and the space to do this project, and for giving us the support we need by booking patients for us and allowing students inside the clinic during their own clinical times.”
She added that this project would not have been possible without the help of the Dental Faculty, the Dean of Dentistry at UWC, the Gugulethu Dental Clinic, and their management.
UWC Dental Services will be available at the Gugulethu Clinic on Mondays and Fridays.
The UWC Mobile Dental Clinic will be at Gugulethu Clinic every Monday and Friday.
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Invitation to Attend UWC Dentistry Outreach Project
The media are invited to attend the UWC Dentistry Outreach on Friday, 07 February 2025, at 11 am at Gugulethu Clinic.
UWC Dentistry students will assist the community from the UWC Mobile Dental Clinic and at the Gugulethu Clinic.
UWC Dentristy Faculty Dean, Prof Veerasamy Yengopal, and the CEO of Islamic Relief South Africa, Yusuf Mohamed.
For more information and to RSVP, please contact UWC Marketing and Media Manager Gasant Abarder at 083 294 6097 or (021)959 4094 or email: gabarder@uwc.ac.za.
