Dentistry in Kenya
Posted by Jan Vanderbij
on Jul 25, 2012
The Kenya Experience
The Rotary Club of Stony Plain was treated to a very interesting presentation by, Professor Karima Bapoo-Mohamed Dip.DH, RDH, MBA, on Wednesday July 25, 2012. Ms. Bapoo-Mohamed gave Rotarians a very insightful overview of her Kenya Dentistry experience. Rotarians learned that due to the remoteness, of some areas of Kenya, 18% of the population have no access to Health care. Further children under 5 yrs. of age have almost non existent dental care. Karima worked primarily in Nairobi for 6 months on their dental hygiene program, with hands on instruction of teeth cleaning procedures. Her students initially worked on models and ultimately on each other, so that an appreciation could be experienced of what a patient would be feeling. This effort will eventually free up Dentists for other high end Dental procedures. The future is the formalizing of the dental hygiene program in Kenya.
It's a tribute to Karima, for her dedication and participation in this very worthwhile effort.