Dunmurry Dentist Returns from Inspiration Trip to Uganda
A dentist from Dunmurry has returned home after an inspirational trip to Uganda. Aisling Byers from Dunmurry Dental Practice visited the African country in March as part of a project organised by Dentaid.
Aisling and a team of volunteers spent two weeks treating people who had never seen a dentist before. Aisling said the she was prepared for the worst and she wasn’t surprised to see the conditions when she arrived. The team worked in incredibly basic surroundings and many of the people they met were desperately poor. The demand for treatment was high, with most people in Uganda having no means of accessing dental care. The team was only able to tackle the tip of the iceberg, but Aisling said that it felt good to be making a positive difference.
As so many people needed treatment, the volunteers had to restrict each patient to treatment for one tooth and at the end of the day, Aisling said they would be confronted with the heartbreaking sight of people begging for help. Although this was incredibly tough, the team worked very hard and many have already vowed to return in the future. The reality of the situation is that the demand far outweighs the supply, and this means that many go without the treatment they need.
Although at times the experience was harrowing, it was also very rewarding and Aisling said that it was a trip she will never forget. Despite the poverty and the conditions, she said she would go back tomorrow if she could. She is hoping to volunteer with Dentaid again in the future.
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