Dental hygienist Romina Raisch was honored with the 2026 German Dental Hygiene Award for her volunteer dental work with Dentists for Africa in Kenya. We are very pleased about this and extend our heartfelt congratulations to her!
For two weeks, Romina supported the Kenyan team at the dental clinic in Nyabondo. As a dental hygienist, she primarily contributed her knowledge and experience in the areas of preventive care and periodontitis. She treated patients and collaborated with her local colleagues on various treatment methods. Romina also took part in a school outreach program: the team examined 300 children and educated them about oral health and dental care.
Sharing Knowledge That Stays Local
Exchanging ideas with the Kenyan team was particularly important to Romina. In an interview with ZWP online, she describes what she had set out to achieve during her assignment: “My goal was to share my knowledge in such a way that my local colleagues, just like me, would continue to benefit from it long after my visit.”
This approach is also important for the dental missions carried out by Dentists for Africa: Our mission staff contribute their expertise and practical experience while also learning a great deal from their Kenyan colleagues—especially about working under local conditions. It’s not just about treating as many patients as possible over the course of a few weeks. Equally important is the professional exchange with the teams that provide dental care on the ground year-round.
The fact that Romina’s dedication has now been honored with the 2026 German Dental Hygiene Award is therefore a wonderful recognition of her work for us as well.
Dear Romina, congratulations—and above all: Thank you very much for your dedication and for sharing your experiences and knowledge in Kenya and even after your return!
In an interview with ZWP online (in German), Romina shares her experiences during her assignment, the encounters that have left a lasting impression on her, and what she took away from Kenya.
Would you like to volunteer yourself? Dentists for Africa welcomes dentists and qualified dental professionals who would like to support our Kenyan teams with their knowledge and experience.