CATEGORY AUSTRALASIAN DENTIST 109 considerably from those encountered by dentists in Australia or New Zealand. – Patients from rural villages often suffer from periodontal disease caused by poor oral hygiene, Witho explains. People living in urban areas are more likely to present with dental caries because they consume more sugary foods and drinks. In Tanzania, aspiring dental professionals have two main educational pathways. One is admission to the country’s public dental programme at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). The other is enrolment at one of several private colleges offering diploma-level training in dentistry. These programmes are shorter – typically three years rather than five – but also provide a more limited scope of practice. David chose the diploma route. – University-trained dentists can earn around TZS 1.2 million a month (approximately AUD 700), he says. I earn about TZS 600,000 (around AUD 350). After graduating, however, securing employment proved difficult. Despite the country’s shortage of oral health professionals, vacancies were scarce. His breakthrough came when he met a physician running a small medical clinic in Chamazi, on the outskirts of Dar es Salaam. Believing in the young dental practitioner, the doctor offered him space to establish a dental service within the clinic. A Chinese-made dental chair was purchased, together with a second-hand X-ray unit, and David was finally able to begin treating patients. – At first, no patients came. I still had to pay the rent, so it wasn’t easy. But we started advertising locally, and gradually more and more people found us. Today, the clinic also houses a pharmacy staffed by pharmacist Salama, as well as a small medical laboratory where laboratory assistant Jacob performs diagnostic tests. Although resources are modest by Australian standards, the clinic is surprisingly well equipped. David has an autoclave for instrument sterilisation, the laboratory contains a modern microscope, and donations from overseas have supplied staff with clinical coats – one of David’s still bears the embroidered words County Council of Älvsborg, a reminder of its Swedish origin. Infrastructure, however, remains a constant challenge. – The running water is only suitable for rinsing – not for drinking, David explains. We have a generator when the electricity goes out, but it’s not powerful enough to operate the dental equipment. So I prepare everything in advance, fill the compressor with air and make sure we’re ready before starting treatment. His commitment extends well beyond the walls of the surgery. Between patients, David regularly visits local schools and community groups to deliver oral health education, while also speaking about broader health issues, including hygiene and sexual health. Precisely this combination of professional ambition and community engagement that Help to Help seeks to support. u Website: www.joakimradstrom.com Email: freelance@joakimradstrom.com DENTISTRY AROUND THE WORLD David Eliakim Witho Kawogo Naomi Shimba Andrew Mwakalebela
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