In an effort to address oral health disparities, Dr. Abbas Jessani and his team from Western University conducted a series of community engagement sessions in Uganda, uniting stakeholders, community leaders, healthcare providers, and local residents. These sessions, facilitated by the Rakai Health Sciences Program (RHSP) and the Infectious Diseases Institute (IDI), highlighted a pressing issue: the limited access to comprehensive oral healthcare in the region. The discussions shed light on profound barriers affecting oral health, ranging from lack of awareness to limited integration within the broader healthcare system.
The sessions proved to be transformative, with community members voicing a strong desire for oral health to become a routine part of their healthcare experience. Their enthusiasm and engagement underscored the significance of Dr. Jessani’s visit and the importance of this project, which has already begun to lay the foundation for change.
The collaboration with RHSP, IDI, and the Schulich School of Medicine & Dentistry aims to move forward with impactful steps to incorporate oral health into existing healthcare frameworks. The team is committed to advancing this mission, with plans to create sustainable oral health programs that resonate with community needs. The project embodies a shared vision of building a healthier future, one that is rooted in meaningful collaborations and a deep commitment to making a lasting impact on oral health in Uganda.