The hospital partnership between the Ilembula Institute of Health and Allied Sciences (IIHAS) and the associated Ilembula Lutheran Hospital (ILH) in Tanzania and Heidelberg University Hospital’s Department of Prosthetic Dentistry is working on establishing hygiene and quality management at ILH. In addition, there are plans to develop training courses on dental infection and prophylaxis training.
Context:
The low average income in Tanzania means that only limited resources are available for health care. One of the areas where this is apparent is dental care, where there are few treatment options. Tooth extraction is the most common dental treatment in Tanzania because the cost of restorative methods is too high. There is also a shortage of dental equipment and consumables.
Activities:
-\tIntroduction of hygiene and quality management and appropriate training of personnel
-\tInfection and dental prophylaxis training for local dental staff and trainers at IIHAS
-\tGroup prophylaxis in schools and in the orphanage is carried out by locally trained personnel.
-\tSetting up a screening programme in schools
-\tTraining for dental therapists
Result:
The oral health of the population is improved by offering prophylaxis and access to quality-assured, affordable treatment. Trained dental professionals pass on their knowledge to colleagues and thus act as multipliers.