The Rotary Club, in collaboration with the Western Cape Provincial Government and the University of the Western Cape’s Department of Paediatric Dentistry, has launched South Africa’s first dental care facility specifically designed for paediatric and special needs patients.
According to IOL, this project aims to improve operational efficiency, lessen stress for young patients and strengthen the commitment to providing specialised dental services to children, particularly those with specific healthcare needs.
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This development addresses the pressing need for a dedicated paediatric dental facility that enhances the quality of healthcare services available to children in the Western Cape.
Delene Swart, the president of the Bellville Rotary Club, stated, ‘Working towards the recognition of paediatric dentistry as a speciality in South Africa, the need for a dedicated, specialised, child-friendly facility was identified, particularly in the Western Cape. The establishment of a dedicated paediatric dentistry surgery unit equipped with the latest materials and state-of-the-art equipment will not only enhance service quality but also serve as an invaluable training ground for postgraduate students.’
Swart added that the unit’s impact exceeds just improving dental aesthetics; it marks a significant turning point in South African healthcare with a focus on children’s dental well-being. She also noted that the new facility is likely to expand the ability to provide treatments in paediatric dentistry, thus lessening the burden on existing healthcare staff.
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Dr Nicoline Potgieter, the president of the South African Association of Paediatric Dentistry and the course coordinator for the Masters programme in Paediatric Dentistry at UWC highlighted the critical state of children in South Africa who desperately need specialised dental care.
‘It is important to note that oral health directly impacts general health, which directly impacts quality of life. It is our responsibility to provide for the basic health care needs of our children,’ she said.
Dr Potgieter said that the unit is equipped with the latest in dental technology that supports less invasive procedures and focuses on preventive care. The facility aims to make the dental experience much more comfortable for young patients.
‘Hopefully, this is the first of many dedicated paediatric and special needs units across South Africa,’ she concluded.
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