Background – Through its equipment operation, Dentaid has helped establish over a dozen dental clinics all around Uganda over the last ten years, based mainly at NGO mission hospitals. Working with a Ugandan partner, Dentaid has also established a major school oral health promotion programme and supported and encouraged a number of other Dentaid supported clinics with community oral health training and resources. In 2006, Dentaid also held Uganda’s 1st dental engineer training programme. The ten-day residential course involved 15 engineers and hospital technicians from Government and NGO hospitals around Uganda (including students from Rwanda and Burundi). 

This work has been noticed by the Chief Dental Officer (CDO) of Uganda who, working closely with Makarere University (the national dental school), has asked Dentaid to help them implement and develop their national oral health strategy, and provide other training, advice and expertise.

Brief Description – To assist Ugandan Ministry of Health review the current national oral health strategy and help identify areas requiring change or training. To provide training to trainers (University staff) in ART technique and other community based treatment and oral health promotion tools. To assist with the development of systems of logistical support, monitoring and supervision of dental personnel when implementing community oral health programmes.

Area of activity/(Partner Organisations) – Uganda. (Ministry of Health, Uganda; Makarere University, Uganda; Mulago Paramedical School, Dept of Education, Uganda, GC (Europe) Ltd)

Strategic Partners & Consultants – Ministry of Health, Uganda; Dr Ivor Chestnutt (Professor of Dental Public Health, University of Wales, Cardiff); Dr Drew Cahoon, Canada   

Anticipated Outcomes

• Key trainers trained to teach Public Health Dental Officers and other relevant personnel ART.
• Links established between government and pharmaceutical suppliers to ensure sustainability.
• Strategies and programmes of activity identified for future development.