More than 1 100 people in the Matabeleland region have received free dental care through an outreach programme by Cimas Health Group, aimed at improving access to oral health services in underserved communities.
The organisation said a total of 1, 56 people benefited from the initiative, which covered parts of Matabeleland North and South, including Victoria Falls, Hwange and Matobo.
Cimas chief executive Vuli Ndlovu said the outreach formed part of the company’s corporate social responsibility efforts to expand access to essential dental services.
“The programme provides a range of oral healthcare services, including tooth extractions and oral health education to underserved communities,” he said.
The medical team began operations at Mkhosana Council Clinic in Victoria Falls before moving to Dete in Hwange, then to Ethandweni Children’s Home in Matobo and finally to Matopo Mission Clinic.
Hundreds of procedures were carried out across the sites. On the first day in Victoria Falls, 173 patients were treated, with 310 extractions and 16 restorative procedures performed. Over the following days, patient numbers rose, with more than 400 extractions recorded in a single day.
In Dete, more than 300 teeth were extracted on each of the two days of the outreach, while dozens of patients also received restorative treatment. Similar services were provided in Matobo and at Matopo Mission Clinic, where dozens more patients were attended to.
According to the World Health Organisation, oral diseases affect about 3.7 billion people worldwide, with untreated tooth decay among the most common conditions.
The agency says tooth decay occurs when plaque converts sugars into acids that damage teeth, leading to pain, infection and eventual tooth loss if untreated. Gum disease, another widespread condition, can cause swollen or bleeding gums and persistent bad breath.
The WHO adds that tooth loss can have serious social and psychological effects, particularly among older people, with nearly a quarter of those aged over 60 affected globally.
Health experts say many oral diseases are preventable through a balanced diet low in sugar, avoiding tobacco, reducing alcohol consumption and maintaining good oral hygiene.
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