This collaboration is a significant step in supporting their efforts to improve global health and make a lasting impact in underserved regions.
Oral diseases affect approximately 3.5 billion people worldwide, disproportionately impacting the most disadvantaged populations, particularly those living in remote and rural areas. The pain caused by oral diseases can hinder a person’s ability to eat, work and attend school; thus affecting every aspect of daily life. Bridge2Aid is addressing this critical issue by focusing on prevention, education, and training the local dental workforce to provide essential oral health services.
One volunteer, Claire Maasz, RDH, shared her experiences of volunteering with Bridge2Aid in Tanzania, which highlights the charity's evolving approach to sustainable oral health solutions. Reflecting on her first trip in 2008, Claire recalls assisting with emergency dentistry and training African Clinical Officers. "We spent our time assisting with the provision of emergency dentistry (mostly extractions) to rural communities who had no access to dentistry. I was involved in training them in extraction techniques, oral health education and oral hygiene," she says.
However, Claire also recognized the need to empower local communities to take the lead. Fast forward to 2024 and her second experience volunteering with Bridge2Aid involved a new focus: "This time, we were supporting the training projects as opposed to leading them," Claire explains. Her work alongside Tanzania Health Environment and Development Initiatives (THEDI) and the Misungwi district council involved training school teachers and Community Health Workers (CHWs) in oral health promotion, enabling them to deliver critical health messages to their communities. Claire reflects, "Volunteering for both these projects has been such a rewarding experience for me and I hope to go back again."
Bridge2Aid’s approach aligns with this shift in focus—by working hand-in-hand with local dental associations, NGOs and governments, they ensure that their work is sustainable and integrated into national health strategies. They have been taking bold steps since 2020, training and mentoring Dental Therapists, delivering community-based oral health education and raising awareness about Infant Oral Mutilation (IOM)—a harmful traditional practice.
Our collaboration with Bridge2Aid supports these efforts by enabling more training programs that focus on both prevention and pain relief, while meeting the growing need for dental care. Bridge2Aid’s work extends to training teachers and Community Health Workers to improve oral health literacy, upskilling local Dental Therapists and screening and treating community members. Their outreach is not only helping to alleviate pain but also changing attitudes and behaviours towards oral health through education.
In many parts of the developing world, access to professional dental care is nearly impossible due to a lack of trained personnel, resources and infrastructure. Bridge2Aid’s innovative task-shifting strategy addresses this challenge by empowering local community health workers, nurses and teachers with the skills needed to care for their communities. By delivering face-to-face training, train-the-trainer programs and digital courses in partnership with local organizations and governments, Bridge2Aid ensures that their work is sustainable and deeply integrated into national strategies.
Bridge2Aid also works with UK-based dental students, offering them opportunities to devise and participate in community outreach programs
Our partnership with Bridge2Aid reflects our commitment to supporting initiatives that improve global oral health. Together, we will support their training programs and community outreach, helping to prevent oral disease and provide relief to those in pain.
How You Can Get Involved
Dental Educators: Bridge2Aid is always looking for dental educators to help develop their training programs. Your expertise could make a significant difference.
Fundraising: Whether it’s through a sponsored challenge, event or donation, every contribution helps Bridge2Aid continue their essential work.
For more information visit Bridge2Aid’s website and join us in making a difference in the fight against oral health inequality.
