Free oral health check pleases villagers
Many people in a village of Namosi received dental treatment for the first time thanks to the Fiji National University’s College of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences outreach programme.
Forty-five students from the university’s department of oral health screened more than 100 villagers at Naqarawai.
It is located about 146 kilometres outside Suva and has a population of 290.
The Turaga ni Yavusa, Ratu Ilaisa Kuruibua, said: “We really appreciate this gesture by the FNU team as the dental services was brought right to our door-steps. “Given the distance from towns and cities, we are hardly able to visit the dental facility for regular check-ups.
“In fact, thanks to this outreach programme, many residents here received dental attention for the first time.”
Lecturer, Dr Suniel Nath, said the their aim was to provide dental care and share best dental practices with those who had difficulty in accessing these services.
“This village setting was chosen for reasons such as geographical isolation, hence it justifies the provision of basic dental service to those who are disadvantaged due to their physical location,” he said.
“The initiative also assisted in developing and strengthening the practical components of students’ ability to plan, organize, and carry out an oral health survey.
“The treatment included 92 restorations, 82 extractions and five people had fluoride application.”
According to Dr Nath the villagers of Naqarawai were able to save just over one thousand dollars on treatment as the services provided was free of charge. Source: Fiji National University