"My tooth"

I HATE going to the dentist, but I still make the obligatory twice a year visit for check-up.  (Sorry Dr M).  In Zambia, there are approximately 200 individuals with the training to provide dental care for the entire country of 13.47 MILLION people.  Finding a provider outside of Lusaka can prove to be difficult.  Many of the providers are located in Lusaka.  Lusaka is approximately a 2 hour drive from the college.

You can imagine the complications that can occur without proper dental care.  Numerous older adults that were seen, were missing at least one, if not more, teeth.  Many that were seen in the clinic while I was there had several cavities.  The treatment?  A toothbrush, toothpaste, and pain medication (if warranted).  Unfortunately, there is very limited access to get these cavities filled.  If the patient was complaining of tooth pain and there was an abscess, the patient was given a referral to Chongwe to have the tooth extracted.  Chongwe is approximately 45 minutes away by vehicle, and longer by foot from the college.  Many walk numerous kilometers just to get to the clinic (on the college campus).  Walking to Chongwe, can be much further.  In Chongwe, they would get their tooth pulled.  This costs approximately $9 per tooth.  That sounds pretty cheap for us, but for a Zambian, $9 is a lot!

One student was in need of an extraction of a tooth due to an abscess.  Because of his studies, work scholarship, and other obstacles, this student had to wait a few days to get a ride to Chongwe to have his tooth extracted.  He was lucky because he had access to transportation (and because of the relationship that the college has with the Chongwe Clinic and Hospital).

Many of those suffering with tooth pain are not able to get the help they need because of the lack of dental care and lack of funds.  Most don't even have access to a toothbrush and toothpaste.

The clinic is very grateful for those that donate toothbrushes and toothpaste to be handed out to those in the area.  Even though a toothbrush and toothpaste is not enough to prevent dental disease, it is a very small step in the right direction.