Portsmouth Hygienist Returns from ‘Fulfilling’ Charity Trip to Morocco
A dental therapist and hygienist has returned from a challenging but hugely rewarding charity trip to Morocco. Portsmouth-based therapist Umama Bagum was part of a team of 11 volunteers who visited rural Morocco as part of a project run by Dentaid.
Mr Begum studied at the Dental Academy at Portstmouth University and now works at practices in Portsmouth and Chichester. During the trip, the team treated more than 1,000 children in conditions that were a far cry from their usual day to day working environment.
According to Mr Begum, the experience was challenging, but also incredibly fulfilling. After returning from Morocco, he said he had no idea how content it would make him, working with children and discovering a completely different culture. Many children in Morocco have a very sweet diet and oral hygiene is poor. As a result, oral diseases such as decay are prevalent. Most children don’t see dentists on a regular basis and even a toothbrush is considered a luxury item.
During their stay, the team handed out more than 3,000 toothbrushes and each member worked hard to provide treatment for as many youngsters as possible. Over the course of the project, Mr Begum and his co-workers removed hundreds of decayed teeth and fitted many fillings.
On returning, the Portsmouth therapist said he has aspirations to volunteer again in the near future. He hopes to work with Dentaid again soon.
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