The University of the Western Cape’s (UWC) Mobile Dental Clinic has returned to the scene, bringing smiles back to Gugulethu, thanks to a generous R4.01-million donation from Islamic Relief SA (IRSA).
After a hiatus of nearly a decade, this mobile dental service has been filling a critical gap in the community, offering much-needed care to residents who had long been left in the dark about available dental treatment.
The return of this clinic is a step worth celebrating, especially for individuals like Linda Moses, whose confidence was deeply dented after a car accident left him with only tiny fragments of his front teeth.
"I feel like a free man again, I can smile with confidence," Moses said on Monday, expressing his gratitude for the dental students who helped him regain a brighter smile.
For years, Moses carried the burden of his dental trauma, his hopes for a restored smile bitten off by the painful memory of the accident.
Despite receiving offers for facial reconstructive surgery in the United States, dental care was a bridge too far.
But thanks to the UWC Mobile Dental Clinic, which arrived in Moses' neighbourhood with much-needed help, his dental woes were finally addressed.
"The [UWC] dentists were so kind, and the procedure was quick. It didn’t even hurt,” Moses added.
The generous donation from IRSA made it possible for the clinic to return to Gugulethu and expand its reach.
What began with simple extractions is now offering a wider range of services, including fillings and cleaning.
The clinic's services will continue to evolve, with plans to incorporate more advanced procedures like surgical extractions and orthodontics.
Dr. Mark Paulse, a clinical supervisor at the clinic, expressed his enthusiasm about the warm reception from the community.
"The patients are excited to receive dental treatments in their area. It’s encouraging to see how well everything is going so far,” he said.
The clinic is not only providing essential care but also giving UWC dental students valuable community-based experience, which is at the core of their training.
“The students are thrilled to be here because this is their first time working in Gugulethu. We’re optimistic that the word will continue to spread, and more people will seek the care they need,” Dr. Paulse added.
The Chairperson of the Gugulethu Health Forum, Nowhi Mdayi, was also pleased to see the clinic’s return.
She emphasized the ongoing challenges that residents face, citing long queues and a shortage of medical professionals.
"We need to ensure that the community is aware of these services," Mdayi explained.
"When they see the mobile van, they'll know they can sink their teeth into something that truly benefits them."
UWC’s Professor Faheema Kimmie-Dhansay, who coordinated the outreach from conception to execution, expressed her gratitude for the opportunity to serve the community.
“This project wouldn’t have been possible without the support of the Dental Faculty, the Gugulethu Dental Clinic, and all the dedicated teams involved,” she said.
Now, with the clinic available at the Gugulethu Clinic every Monday and Friday, residents are looking forward to a future where their dental care no longer feels like an impossible extraction.
The UWC dentists on wheels have driven home a much-needed service that is now helping the community smile brighter than ever.