In a major step toward closing the dental health gap in rural Tanzania, THEDI, in collaboration with the Misungwi District Council (MDC), successfully concluded a comprehensive 10-day Oral Health Outreach and Training Program this February 2026. The program is funded by UK charity organization (B2A). The outreach and training program was officially inaugurated on February 9, 2026, by the District Executive Director (DED) of Misungwi District Council. Held at the Matale dispensary in Sumbugu ward, this high-profile event served as the formal launch for the project's concluding implementation cycle.
The program was staged at the Matale and Mondo dispensaries, the Phase IV initiative combined high-impact oral health screening and treatment with advanced training for local Dental Therapist (DTs). The program targeted the underserved communities across 11 villages and 11 primary schools, focusing on long-term sustainability and local capacity.
Impact at a Glance:
Direct Care: A total of 1,931 patients arrived for treatment, with 88.6% received a comprehensive oral health screening and treatment. The program delivered curative and preventive care, including extractions, restorative treatments like root canals, and partial dentures, all supported by scaling and professional oral health education.
School Screening: 853 school children were screened, revealing the urgent need for continued school-based intervention. Of those screened a total of 763 (89.4%) were diagnosed with oral health conditions, consisting of 473 females (55.5%) and 380 males (44.5%).
Capacity Building: 7 Dental Therapists from Ukerewe, Ilemela, and Nyamagana districts completed intensive on-the-job training in five priority areas, including root canal treatments and pediatric behavior management.
Innovation in Action: The program utilized smart tracking and information systems to streamline patient registration and logistics.
The outreach and training program was honored by Dr. Baraka Nzobo, Deputy Director of the Dentistry Unit, representing the Ministry of Health (MoH). The regional level was represented by the Regional Medical Officer (RMO) and the Regional Dental Officer (RDO). This high-level support underscores the project's role as a "proof of concept" for scaling oral healthcare across all six districts of the Mwanza region.
"Our approach isn't just about immediate treatment; it’s about building a sustainable system," said a THEDI representative." "By training local therapists and empowering community leaders, we ensure that quality dental care remains accessible long after the outreach concludes."
The pilot phase in Misungwi providing critical data, THEDI is now preparing for a strategic evaluation to inform the expansion of this model to five additional district councils of Mwanza region by the end of 2026.
The program was staged at the Matale and Mondo dispensaries, the Phase IV initiative combined high-impact oral health screening and treatment with advanced training for local Dental Therapist (DTs). The program targeted the underserved communities across 11 villages and 11 primary schools, focusing on long-term sustainability and local capacity.
Impact at a Glance:
Direct Care: A total of 1,931 patients arrived for treatment, with 88.6% received a comprehensive oral health screening and treatment. The program delivered curative and preventive care, including extractions, restorative treatments like root canals, and partial dentures, all supported by scaling and professional oral health education.
School Screening: 853 school children were screened, revealing the urgent need for continued school-based intervention. Of those screened a total of 763 (89.4%) were diagnosed with oral health conditions, consisting of 473 females (55.5%) and 380 males (44.5%).
Capacity Building: 7 Dental Therapists from Ukerewe, Ilemela, and Nyamagana districts completed intensive on-the-job training in five priority areas, including root canal treatments and pediatric behavior management.
Innovation in Action: The program utilized smart tracking and information systems to streamline patient registration and logistics.
The outreach and training program was honored by Dr. Baraka Nzobo, Deputy Director of the Dentistry Unit, representing the Ministry of Health (MoH). The regional level was represented by the Regional Medical Officer (RMO) and the Regional Dental Officer (RDO). This high-level support underscores the project's role as a "proof of concept" for scaling oral healthcare across all six districts of the Mwanza region.
"Our approach isn't just about immediate treatment; it’s about building a sustainable system," said a THEDI representative." "By training local therapists and empowering community leaders, we ensure that quality dental care remains accessible long after the outreach concludes."
The pilot phase in Misungwi providing critical data, THEDI is now preparing for a strategic evaluation to inform the expansion of this model to five additional district councils of Mwanza region by the end of 2026.
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