For years, Jeffrey was teased because of her noticeable teeth. It wasn’t until Dentists for Africa visited her school that the cause of her dental malformation was identified—and that she could be helped. Proceeds from donated dental gold and other precious metals also contribute to this effort.
Jeffrey was discovered during a routine school visit by Dentists for Africa. She lived mostly with her grandmother, since her mother left for work early in the morning and didn’t come home until late. By selling fish, she earned a living for the extended family. According to her, her income was not enough to cover the necessary dental treatment for her daughter.
It wasn’t until the examination at school that Jeffrey’s dental malformation was diagnosed. For the girl herself, however, the consequences had long been part of her daily life. Ever since she started school, she had been teased because of her conspicuous teeth. She rarely smiled openly and often held her hand over her mouth when she laughed. Jeffrey describes how much this weighed on her: “My classmates called me ‘Peg-shaped teeth.’ That really took a toll on me emotionally, and I couldn’t concentrate properly in class. Whenever I smiled, I always held my hand over my mouth.”
The X-ray provided clarity
An X-ray examination revealed that benign growths in the dental tissue were preventing the permanent teeth from erupting. Dr. Marie Sophie Katz, an oral surgeon from Aachen and a DfA volunteer, was serving at the DfA dental clinic in Nyabondo at the time and was able to remove the growths during a surgical procedure. She then inserted a wire to support the eruption of the permanent teeth. Later, German dentist and DfA volunteer Dr. Gerd Hase and the Kenyan team at the DfA dental clinic in Nyabondo took over the necessary follow-up care.
For Jeffrey, even the first step of treatment brought great relief. Thanks to the X-ray and the dental team’s explanations, she also understood for the first time what was causing her dental malformation and that further improvement was possible: “Once the noticeable teeth were removed, I felt relieved. At least I wasn’t teased about their shape anymore. The dentist’s explanation and the X-ray gave me hope that my teeth will eventually come in. That’s why I’m optimistic—even if it takes a long time.”
Treatment Continues
Jeffrey’s treatment is not yet complete. His permanent teeth are showing signs of erupting, but they are developing more slowly than hoped. Further checkups and treatments are planned.
She owes the fact that her problem was identified in the first place to Dentists for Africa’s school dental program: “I’m very grateful to Dentists for Africa for the school program. That’s how my situation was identified in the first place, and the necessary treatment was started.”
Jeffrey’s story thus also illustrates why the school programs are an important part of Dentists for Africa’s dental work. The teams go directly to the children, examine and treat them, and in the process also uncover problems that families had not previously brought to the attention of a dental practice.
Support dental care with dental gold: Donations of precious metals from German dental practices and private individuals help fund this dental work in Kenya. Even an old crown or bridge that is no longer needed can still make a difference. Dental practices can easily collect donations for Dentists for Africa. Individuals can also donate dental gold and other precious metals directly to us.