By Sarah NEGEDU
Over 1,500 Kano indigenes received free dental care over the weekend when FCT Minister of State, Dr. Mariya Mahmoud, led a medical outreach taking dental care to the grassroots.
The initiative, held at the Bunkure Primary Health Care Centre, offered a wide range of dental procedures including scaling and polishing, extractions, denture fittings, outpatient consultations, and distribution of free dental kits containing toothbrushes and toothpaste. Beneficiaries also received guidance on oral hygiene and preventive care.
Speaking on the sidelines of the outreach, Mahmoud described the program as a follow-up to the state-wide empowerment initiative that covered all 44 local governments and 484 wards in Kano State, benefiting over 4,064 residents.
She said, “I am super elated. I cannot even close my mouth. As you can see, so many people gathered here today. Some had dentures fixed, some had extractions, others did scaling and polishing. Many of them didn’t even know they needed to clean their teeth twice a year. Some cannot afford artificial dentures. That is why we brought this initiative in partnership with the Global Smile Initiative, GSI, here.”
Mahmoud emphasized the importance of oral care, advising beneficiaries, “If you cannot brush three times a day, at least do it in the morning and before bed, especially at night. And if you have any problem that needs medical attention, rush to the hospital. We have active primary healthcare services here in Bunkure.”
The minister also outlined plans to repeat and expand similar interventions across the state, saying they could cover ophthalmic care, pediatric health, malnutrition screening, and free antenatal services for pregnant women.
“We can go one by one. It is very doable if we have the opportunity,” she said, describing the outreach as part of the “dividend of democracy” under President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s leadership.
Meanwhile one of the beneficiaries, 40-year-old Zulai Adamu, described the outreach as a life-changing experience for her.
“For 10 years I couldn’t smile or laugh because I was afraid people would laugh at me. I used to go to the hospital, but I couldn’t afford the treatment. Today, the Minister has restored my smile. Now I can laugh when and where necessary.”
Other beneficiaries expressed similar relief, highlighting both the physical and emotional impact of the outreach, with many receiving treatments they had long postponed due to cost or lack of awareness.
Programme Coordinator for Global Smile Initiative, Dr. Olusegun Alalade, said the turnout was overwhelming as over 200 patients received various dental treatment on the first day.
“As at the time you met us, we have attended to close to 200 beneficiaries. The cases are varied from dentures, fillings, extractions, medications, and general consultations.
While highlighting the cost implications of some of the treatments, Dr. Alalade said, “Scaling and polishing alone costs between N2,500 and N5,000 in government hospitals. If you multiply that by over 150 people, you can imagine the financial relief this programme has provided.”
Alalade added that the outreach offered health education alongside treatment, ensuring beneficiaries understand the importance of oral hygiene and preventive care.
