Volunteer Thame dentist to travel to Malawi to treat poor villagers

A dentist and a dental nurse from Thame, are off to Malawi, Africa, to treat the teeth of the poor in rural, northern villages.

Samantha Miller and Zak Khatana

Zak Khatana, who works at Thame House Dental Practice in the town, explained: “Dental care is something we take for granted in the UK. However in places like Malawi there is minimal access. There is a desperate need for dental care in Malawi. The country has fewer than 40 registered dentists for a population of 19 million people and access to dental services is particularly difficult for people living in remote rural communities, with people dying from preventable dental infections causing sepsis.

“In Easter 2019, myself and Samantha Miller will be part of a small team of volunteers who will set up and install a temporary dental clinic in the village of Bulala, plus we’ll be working with other surrounding villages. Many of the patients will require emergency care and extractions but we will also run oral health programmes.

“People arrive through the night and walk several hours to seek out dental treatment. Demand is huge and up to 100 people will be waiting for treatment at the start of each day. We will prioritise children and those suffering from infections and immediate pain.

“We are aiming to see a minimum of 1000 people during our stay and so we are asking for your help. Dental supplies are expensive and so we are fundraising to help us provide as much care as possible to those in need. All donations will be used entirely for this project, however big or small the amount.

“We were hoping that you would be able to help us gain exposure for our cause. We are looking to raise at least £4500.”

To learn more about Zak and Samantha’s project and to make a donation, visit: https://mydonate.bt.com/fundraisers/zakiandsam

Alternatively there will be donation boxes in the practice in Thame and Fairford Leys, Aylesbury