LUKUMAY FULFILLS PLEDGE AS GERMAN DENTAL SPECIALISTS ARRIVE TO COMBAT ORAL DISEASES IN ARUMERU WEST
By Joseph Ngilisho | ARUMERU
Residents of Arumeru West have begun benefiting from specialized oral healthcare services following the arrival of a team of German dental specialists who have launched a seven-day outreach programme offering free treatment, oral health education, and research into dental diseases linked to high fluoride levels in drinking water.
The initiative fulfills a pledge made by Arumeru West Member of Parliament, Dr. Johannes Lukumay, who had promised constituents that he would bring international dental experts to help address the growing burden of oral diseases affecting communities across the constituency.
The programme is being implemented by the Ngorongoro Education Project Tanzania UK (NET) in partnership with Dental Global Germany. It combines free dental treatment, professional training for healthcare workers, knowledge exchange between Tanzanian and German dental practitioners, and research aimed at strengthening oral healthcare services in Tanzania.
Speaking during the launch of the programme in Arusha, NET Executive Director Engais Johannes Lukumay said the initiative commenced on July 20 and will run for seven days, with a target of reaching more than 1,500 beneficiaries through dental screening, treatment, preventive care, and oral health education.
He said the delegation is led by renowned German dental specialist Dr. Ursula Suessbier, who will also conduct an in-depth assessment of the prevalence and severity of oral diseases in Arumeru West and other parts of Tanzania to help establish a foundation for long-term investment in oral healthcare.
According to Lukumay, the outreach programme extends beyond clinical services. The team will visit schools, orphanages, and vulnerable groups, including individuals recovering from substance abuse, providing oral health education alongside preventive and curative dental services.
Schoolchildren participating in the programme will receive toothbrushes and toothpaste while being trained on proper oral hygiene practices, with the aim of instilling lifelong preventive dental care habits from an early age.
Patients diagnosed with complex dental conditions will be referred to Seliani Hospital during the final two days of the programme for specialized treatment.
"The programme is built on three key pillars: promoting oral health education, strengthening professional collaboration between Tanzania and Germany, and providing free dental treatment to communities in need," Lukumay said.
He further revealed that NET has begun preparations to establish a modern dental clinic in Ngaramtoni, which will serve as a permanent centre for oral healthcare services and professional training.
The facility will also become the hub for a bilateral exchange programme under which Tanzanian dental students and practitioners will receive practical training in Germany, while German specialists will continue visiting Tanzania to provide services and build local professional capacity.
For his part, Dr. Johannes Lukumay described the arrival of the German specialists as the fulfillment of a commitment he made to the people of Arumeru West and an important step toward finding a lasting solution to oral health challenges associated with excessive fluoride in drinking water.
"I promised my constituents that I would bring highly qualified dental specialists to Arumeru West, and today that promise has become a reality. Beyond providing treatment, they will undertake scientific research that will help us understand the true magnitude of the problem and lay the groundwork for sustainable investment in oral healthcare," he said.
Dr. Lukumay added that Dr. Ursula Elizabeth has expressed interest in collaborating with the Government of Tanzania to strengthen oral healthcare through investment, professional training for local practitioners, and research aimed at identifying sustainable solutions to fluoride-related dental conditions affecting communities in the area.
He noted that the German delegation is working alongside Tanzanian dental professionals, creating an opportunity for skills transfer and professional knowledge exchange that will enhance the capacity of local healthcare providers.
On the first day of the mission, the team visited Ngaramtoni Primary School, where they conducted oral health education sessions for pupils from pre-primary through Grade Seven. The sessions emphasized proper tooth-brushing techniques, the appropriate use of fluoride toothpaste, prevention of gum and dental diseases, and the importance of regular oral health check-ups.
Dr. Lukumay stressed that educating schoolchildren is critical to building a generation that values preventive oral healthcare, noting that prevention remains the most effective strategy for reducing the prevalence of dental diseases.
He urged residents of Arumeru West to take full advantage of the free services being offered, expressing confidence that the partnership between Tanzania and Germany would open a new chapter in improving oral healthcare while laying the foundation for long-term investment and sustainable solutions to fluoride-related oral health challenges in the country.
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