Project Description
Building on our successful 2023 mission in Sengerema, THEDI and Bridge2Aid (B2A) are currently piloting a transformative oral health model in Misungwi District. This evidence-based project is designed to bridge the gap in dental care by simultaneously strengthening health systems and empowering communities. Once proven, this model will be scaled across the Mwanza region, including Sengerema, Ukerewe, Magu, Buchosa, and Kwimba districts.
Our dual-track strategy ensures immediate impact and long-term sustainability:
Strengthening the Supply Side:
We are increasing access to quality care through targeted outreach programs while building the capacity of Dental Therapists to provide advanced procedures locally. To ensure lasting change, we advocate for district authorities to integrate and budget for dedicated dental clinics within local health facilities, following national guidelines.
Driving Demand Through Education:
We believe that lasting change begins with prevention. Our team trains headteachers, health teachers, and ward education officers to lead oral health promotion within primary schools, reaching children at a critical age. At the community level, we empower Community Health Workers (CHWs) with specialized tools and materials to raise awareness, improve hygiene practices, and inspire a proactive demand for professional dental services.
Current Progress and Milestones:
Since launching in early 2024, the Misungwi pilot has already achieved significant milestones in improving regional oral healthcare services:
Regular Oral Health Outreach Programs:
THEDI successfully completed four rounds of outreach and DTs training programs across eight rural health facilities, including Nhundulu, Koromije, Mbarika, Busongo, Nyamaiza, Isesa, Matale and Mondo. Through these intensive missions, we provided comprehensive screenings and specialized treatments such as fillings, root canals, and extractions to a total of over 7,000 patients. Most notably, we restored the confidence and function of over 800 clients by fitting them with removable partial dentures. The program significantly bridging the gap and increased access to specialized oral healthcare services to underserved population across 40 villages.
Capacity building training and mentorship:
The capacity building and mentorship program successfully empowered all 29 Dental Therapists (100%) in the Mwanza region through four intensive cohorts. This collaborative pilot utilized a hybrid model combining in-person training with remote support to strengthen the clinical confidence of rural practitioners. The program aligned with the Ministry of Health (MoH) 5 priorities areas including the root canal treatments on single-rooted teeth, fabrication of removable partial dentures, interpretation of dental x-rays, restorative treatments on molars, incision and drainage of small dental abscesses, and composite fillings on anterior teeth and pediatric behavior management. Thus, the training program ensuring the community receives comprehensive, high-quality oral healthcare.
Building a Sustainable Future for comprehensive oral healthcare:
To ensure long-term sustainability in Misungwi, THEDI successfully advocated for district budgeting to bridge the gap in oral healthcare infrastructure. Since the program began, we have nearly doubled access, growing from four to seven operational clinics, with the final facility currently in development. This strategic expansion ensures that all eight eligible facilities in the district, as per Ministry of Health (MoH) guidelines, will be fully equipped to provide permanent care. Key milestones include the renovation and dental chair installations at Mbarika, Nhundulu, and Kolomije Health Centers, with procurement now underway for the final chair at Busongo HC to achieve 100% district coverage.
Inter-generational Impact: Empowering Local Voices:
THEDI has achieved a 100% empowerment rate of Community-Owned Resource Persons (CORP) in Misungwi by activating existing social structures like primary schools and Community Health Worker (CHW) platforms. This inter-generational initiative trained all head teachers and health teachers across 120 primary schools, alongside 29 Ward Education Officers, to integrate oral health into the education system. Additionally, the program empowered 230 CHWs—two from each of the district's 115 villages equipping them with the essential knowledge and skills to lead local oral health promotion. By embedding these skills within the community's own leaders, THEDI has ensured a sustainable, grassroots approach to oral health that will benefit generations to come.
Commemoration of the World Oral Health Day:
THEDI and Bridge2Aid (B2A) led powerful commemorations for World Oral Health Day in 2024 and 2025, bringing essential dental services directly to the heart of the Misungwi district. These high-impact events, hosted at Usagara Health Centre (2024) and Misasi Health Centre (2025), provided hundreds of community members with free dental screenings, life-changing treatments, and vital oral health education. By targeting these key catchment areas, the project successfully raised awareness and delivered immediate clinical care to underserved populations, reinforcing our commitment to a "Happy Mouth, Happy Body."
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