Hundreds of teachers, health workers and community representatives have been trained to deliver essential oral health education across schools and villages in Sengerema District, Tanzania.
The programme was led by Tanzanian health organisation THEDI and supported by Bridge2Aid, seven volunteers from GC Europe, representing seven different countries, and Colgate-Palmolive Tanzania.
It marks the beginning of Bridge2Aid and THEDI’s work in Sengerema, a district of approximately 500,000 people served by just two dentists and three Dental Therapists.
The teachers participating in the programme are expected to reach around 116,000 children, helping to increase oral health literacy and prevent avoidable dental pain and disease.
The week began with meetings with the Regional Medical Officer and Regional Dental Officer, followed by a visit to a school in Mwanza. The team provided oral health education and dental screening for children, teachers and parents.
They then travelled to Sengerema, where they met district government officials to discuss local needs and secure support for the programme.
Ensuring that local government, health and education leaders are involved from the outset is central to the Bridge2Aid and THEDI approach. It enables programmes to respond to district priorities, strengthen existing systems and remain locally owned.
Local professionals leading the training
Training was delivered by District Dental Officers, members of the THEDI team and four Tanzanian Dental Therapists who had previously completed Bridge2Aid clinical skills training programmes.
The local Dental Therapists delivered the majority of the teaching, demonstrating how earlier investment in health professionals is now creating a wider ripple effect across the region.
GC Europe volunteers supported practical small-group sessions focused on effective toothbrushing, the correct use of toothpaste, diet and nutrition.
The programme trained representatives from 60 district schools, including:
- 13 Ward Education Coordinators;
- 60 Head Teachers; and
- 120 Health Teachers.
Representatives from 44 villages also attended, including:
- 21 people responsible for local health facilities;
- 21 Reproductive and Child Health Coordinators working in maternal and infant health; and
- 88 Community Health Workers.
Participants were highly engaged throughout the training, asking questions, sharing their experiences and considering how oral health messages could be adapted for their schools and communities.
At the end of each day, participants developed action plans explaining how they would share the learning with children, families and community members.
The impact was immediate. Participants who attended training on Wednesday were already sending photographs by Friday showing oral health education being delivered in their schools.
GC Europe also provided each participating school and village with a bag of toothbrushes, giving local educators practical resources to begin supporting behaviour change.
Shaenna Loughnane, CEO of Bridge2Aid, said:
“This programme showed what can be achieved when organisations combine their strengths around a shared purpose. Local dental professionals led the training, government leaders supported the work, and GC Europe volunteers brought energy, experience and practical support.
“Most importantly, teachers and health workers left with clear plans to take the messages into their own communities. Seeing participants begin delivering sessions before the week had even finished demonstrated that this was not simply a training event. It was the beginning of locally led, sustainable action.”
Becoming allies against Infant Oral Mutilation
During the programme, the GC Europe team also met Dr Nila Jackson, a Tanzanian dental professional leading work to prevent Infant Oral Mutilation.
Infant Oral Mutilation is a harmful traditional practice involving the removal of developing tooth buds from babies and young children, often using unsterile instruments and without anaesthetic.
The volunteers were shocked to learn how widespread the practice remains and discussed the importance of trusted local educators in challenging harmful beliefs and protecting children.
Katrin Langer, Vice President of Sales for GC Europe, said:
“Education is progress, and taking part in the training programme was a very rewarding experience. Working with dental professionals who want to help their communities to improve oral health is inspiring. We came as strangers and left as allies in the fight against Infant Oral Mutilation.”
John Maloney, Country Manager at GC UK, said:
“What stood out to me was the strength of the local leadership and the commitment of everyone taking part. This was not simply about delivering information for a week; it was about equipping people who are trusted within their schools and communities to create lasting change.
“Seeing participants put their plans into action before the programme had even finished showed the real impact of the partnership.”
The power of partnership
The programme brought together the complementary experience and resources of multiple partners.
THEDI provided local expertise, relationships and an understanding of community needs. Regional and district government representatives ensured the work aligned with local health and education priorities. District Dental Officers and Dental Therapists delivered relevant, practical training.
GC Europe volunteers supported interactive learning, while Colgate-Palmolive Tanzania provided local partnership and support. Teachers, education leaders and community health workers committed to cascading the information across Sengerema.
Bridge2Aid helped connect and support the partners, drawing on its experience of strengthening oral health systems through education, training and long-term collaboration.
Shaenna Loughnane added:
“No single organisation could have achieved this alone. We are incredibly grateful to THEDI, GC Europe, Colgate-Palmolive Tanzania, government leaders, dental professionals and every teacher and health worker who took part.
“Together, they have created a network of oral health champions with the potential to reach thousands of children and families. They have made a real difference, and this is only the beginning.”
