The Rotary Club of Oudtshoorn is hosting its annual Dental Week from 17 to 21 August, providing much-needed dental care to local primary school children through the RotaryDent project.
RotaryDent is a collaboration between the Rotary Club of Knysna, the Western Cape Department of Health and the Western Cape Department of Education.
This year’s Oudtshoorn programme is also supported by dentists and dental assistants from across the Rotary District.
Children were screened beforehand and consent forms were sent to their parents. A different school visits the Seppie Greeff Building each day for treatment.
The programme was intended to include extractions, cleanings, fillings and fissure sealants.
Due to Oudtshoorn’s prolonged power outage, however, the dental team had to adapt and could initially perform only extractions.
The need for the project was highlighted during the 2025 programme in Knysna, when dental staff from Knysna Provincial Hospital screened 392 children at Thembelitsha Primary School in just three hours.
Of these, 188 required dental care.
Despite the challenges, the Rotary team remains committed to improving the health and wellbeing of children in need. (ANGELIQUE ERASMUS)
RotaryDent brings dental care to local children
Right: A brave young learner being screened during this years Dental Week, in Oudtshoorn.
Photo supplied.