Smilestar, a United Kingdom (UK)-based dental organisation, has successfully partnered with Cimas Health Group to provide free oral healthcare to underserved communities in Matabeleland North province.
By Plot Mhako
The two-week-long dental outreach program, which concluded on March 20, aimed to deliver essential oral healthcare services to communities with limited access to dental facilities. Cimas Health Group, Zimbabwe’s longest-established private medical aid society, contributed medical personnel and a fully equipped mobile clinic to ensure quality treatment was available to all patients.
The outreach began on March 10 at Chinotimba Clinic in Victoria Falls, where patients received treatment for four days. From March 17 to March 20, the medical team operated from Hwange Miombo Safari Camp in Dete, continuing to provide free dental care.”
Dr. Mitesh Badiani, founder of Smilestar, praised Cimas Health Group for significantly enhancing the efficiency and scope of the outreach efforts.
“Cimas Health Group’s support, including the provision of their doctor, Alan Gura, a nurse, and a fully equipped mobile dental clinic, allowed us to deliver quality care with more treatment options for the local population,” he said.
Dr. Badiani emphasized that the partnership represented the future vision of Smilestar’s outreach programs.
“We have not been able to offer such a service in our previous outreaches. This is how I envisage the future of Smilestar worldwide—where a mobile dental clinic accompanies our team in every outreach we undertake.”
He also highlighted the importance of volunteer support, as Smilestar relies entirely on volunteer dentists and staff who self-fund their trips. He noted that many dental issues observed during the outreach were preventable and called for better oral hygiene education in schools.
Cimas Health Group CEO, Mr. Vuli Ndlovu, stated that the partnership aligns with their mission to promote healthier communities. “Providing our fully equipped mobile clinic free of charge, along with our doctors, is a testament to our commitment to extending essential medical services to underserved areas,” he said.
Mr. Ndlovu reaffirmed Cimas Health Group’s commitment to supporting government health programs, announcing their participation in the Ministry of Health and Child Care’s World Oral Health Day commemorations on March 20 in Lupane District.
This successful partnership highlights the power of collaboration in improving healthcare accessibility and the need for sustainable initiatives to address dental health challenges in underserved communities.
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