Empowering Rural Dental Care:

Story Overview

In a powerful collaboration between THEDI and Bridge2Aid (B2A), the capacity-building and mentorship program has successfully empowered all 29 Dental Therapists (100%) in the Mwanza region. This initiative utilized a hybrid model blending intensive in-person training with remote support to significantly strengthen the clinical confidence of rural practitioners.

To ensure the program met specific local needs, THEDI and B2A conducted a pre-training survey to identify existing skill gaps. The training itself prioritized one-to-one modalities and structured debriefing, which proved essential for skill mastery. Post-training evaluations already reveal a profound impact on the therapists' ability to provide high-quality care.

The training program aligned with Ministry of Health (MoH) 5 priorities areas including the advanced expertise in root canal treatments, the fabrication of removable partial dentures, and X-ray interpretation. Participants also gained hands-on experience in molar restorations, anterior composite fillings, abscess drainage, and pediatric behavior management. To sustain this growth, an online mentorship program led by local and UK-based facilitators is currently providing continuous professional development for the graduates.

Future Outlook
Building on this success, THEDI and B2A plan to scale this impact by enrolling Dental Therapists from neighboring regions, expanding the reach of this hybrid mentorship model to further strengthen oral healthcare systems across the country.