A team of dental specialists from the United Kingdom are back in Ghana offering free dental screenings and care to residents of three towns in the Volta Region.

The team visited four communities in the Volta Region in 2018.

The team comprising Dr. George Brown, Dr. Malcolm Farr and Dr. Chris Vondee have formally founded SmileGhana, a charity organisation registered in the United Kingdom in partnership with their spouses, Mrs Phil Brown, Mrs. Cynthia Kudzi-Farr and Mrs Pat Vondee. 

Assisting the team this year are Ms Zanetta Arthur and Misters Douglas and Desmond.

Presently in Adaklu Helekpe, Dr. George Brown called for the establishment of dental clubs in basic and senior high schools. The move he said would go a long way to improve oral and dental hygiene amongst school children and students.

Dr. Brown noted that dental challenges particularly amongst the youth and children are of concern to his team, adding that most of the dental issues are highly preventable.

He identified ignorance, lack of education and lack of regular check-ups as major dental problems, the team identified.

Dr. Malcolm Farr stressed the need for Ghanaians to continue using traditional chewing sticks to compliment and improve dental care. He therefore urged the people not only to value the chewing stick in their daily activities but also use it to their benefit.

Dr. Chris Vondee advised against the use of  herbal products to treat  gum and other dental related diseases. He stressed the need for rural dwellers to be weary of "quack herbal practitioners" and advised them to visit the nearest health facility for the right care and guidance.

SmileGhana in partnership with Jonmoore International Limited, a transport and projects logistics company in Ghana with services extending within the West African sub-region and in collaboration with the University of Health and Allied Sciences, Ho and  the Ghana Health Services is helping bring to fruition, the provision of free dental screening and care to 3 communities in the Volta Region this year. 

According to Miss Amma Abrokwah, the Corporate Manager of Jonmoore International Limited, "as part of our company's continuous corporate social responsibility, we are focused on improving the socio-economic development of people across the country in the areas of health and well-being, education and infrastructure development. In line of the company's focus in the area of health, Jonmoore will continue to partner benevolent organisations and thus SmileGhana to help improve the well-being of Ghanaians".

Some of the beneficiary residents who spoke to our newsteam described the outreach programme as a dream come true. They suggested that the exercise be organised not only on yearly basis but also, in several other communities to enable others benefit from this exercise.

This year's outreach has covered Peki Blengo in the South Dayi district, presently ongoing at Adaklu Helekpe in the Adaklu district and scheduled to come off between 28th and 29th of April 2019 in Adidome, the Central Tongu district. It is expected to benefit more than 2,500 residents in the three beneficiary districts.