Wellness bus takes oral health to residents

Mitchell’s Plain District Community Health Centre Hospital offered oral health services at their second wellness hub at Christ the Redeemer Church in Westridge.

The wellness hub was first held at the church on Tuesday August 1 (“Living a positive life” Plainsman August 9). For Dental Health Month, which is observed in August, residents could access oral health services on Tuesday August 15 .

Shanaaz Ismail, 68, from Westgate collected her chronic medication at the hub on her appointment date and was the first person to access oral health services at the outreach facility.

“I haven’t been to the dentist in two years because I am a pensioner and accessing a private dentist has become too expensive for me. The waiting list at Mitchell’s Plain CHC is too long and this oral health service at the Wellness Hub is welcomed. I needed a dental clean and having this service close to home is a blessing and fantastic,” said Ms Ismail.

Nadeema Samsodien, 51, from Morgens Village, attended a dentist at District Six Community Day Centre about eight months ago because she lived in the area and has recently relocated to Mitchell’s Plain.

“Having this service close to home makes life easy as the waiting list for dental care is quite long at the day hospital. Many people don’t know the importance of oral health and should go for regular check ups. I am a diabetic and I cannot just extract my teeth due to my illness. I encourage others to go for regular check ups,” said Ms Samsodien.

Mubeena Abdullah, an oral hygienist at the Westridge Dental Clinic for the Western Cape Government Health and Wellness, believes that there is a need for oral health promotion.

“Lack of dental health care is one of the most prevalent conditions and taking services closer to the community helps the department to reach and educate more people,” said Ms Abdullah.

During oral health outreach at schools, Ms Abdullah identified that up to ninety percent of children have cavities.

“When I do spot the cavities, they are unfortunately not able to be saved with fillings, and the tooth must be extracted. People’s diets are also very sugary, and pupils have access to unhealthy snacks which impacts the state of the mouth and causes cavities. Therefore, we encourage people to come for their regular, six-monthly check ups and to bring their children to maintain a healthy mouth, gums, and teeth,” she said.

Maintaining a healthy diet is key to ensuring a healthy mouth.

“If you're only brushing in the morning and not in the evening, you are giving the bacteria more than 24 hours to build up and strengthen in numbers, thereby weakening your teeth. Use toothpaste that has fluoride for a healthy mouth,” she said.

Parents or caregivers must ensure that children brush their teeth as soon as the first tooth appears in a mouth around about six months old. To make an appointment, they book a month in advance for extractions, fillings, and cleaning. Their dental clinics treat emergency dental cases for people with serious dental emergencies such as an abscess that needs to be treated with antibiotics immediately or if you are in severe pain or if you had a serious dental injury.

“Unfortunately, we do not provide dentures but people can attend the UWC Dental Clinic based at the Melomed building in Mitchell’s Plain Town Centre. To access dental services in Mitchell’s Plain, visit your nearest day hospital or baby clinic to make an appointment to ensure people have healthy smiles and healthy gums,” she said.