Devon dental nurse prepares for third volunteer trip in Africa
A dental nurse from Devon is preparing to participate in a volunteer project in Africa for the third time.
Bridie Snelling from Newton Abbot will visit Africa for the third time in October in what will be her final charity mission. The 62-year old grandmother is preparing for another fortnight-long adventure where she will be helping to provide dental care in extremely difficult conditions. Bridie will be part of a team of volunteers, which will be battling the heat and making do with basic equipment to provide dental treatment for people who have very limited access to dental services.
Bridie is familiar with sterilising instruments in pressure cookers perched over gas burners, and she admitted that it can be tough going. Bridie explained that it tends to get very hot, and the heat can zap your energy, but she said that the people you see are so grateful that it spurs you on.
Bridie will be spending two weeks in Zimbabwe and the areas she will be visiting with fellow Dentaid volunteers have no permanent dental clinics. When teams arrive, people often walk for hours and travel miles to see a dentist, such is the need for even the most basic treatments.
Bridie first volunteered four years ago, but this is something she has always wanted to do. The work is hard, but it’s also very rewarding to see what a difference projects like those run by Dentaid make.
Bridie, from Abbotsbury Dental Care, is currently fundraising for her October trip, and she is planning a sponsored walk and a host of other vents, including a raffle at the practice. The cost of the trip will exceed £2,000.
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