The CBCHB oral health programme (Dental Services) started in the late 1960s with just a few volunteers and Missionaries. Today, there are 5 Cameroonian Dentists, 8 Dental Therapists, 18 Dental Assistants, and 5 on-the-job-trained staff. The average number of dental cases seen monthly in all the clinics today stands at 2500 as against 50 in 1970. The Board today runs nine Dental Clinics in five of Cameroon’s ten provinces with a tenth one to be opened soon in the sixth province. These are located as follows:

1. Centre Province (Yaounde): Etoug-Ebe and Ekounou Baptist Health Centres
2. Littoral Province (Douala): Mboppi Baptist Health Centre
3. South West Province: Baptist Hospital Mutengene, Kumba Baptist Health Centre
4. North West Province: (Bamenda) Nkwen Baptist Health Centre, Mbingo Baptist Hospital, Banso Baptist Hospital
5. Adamawa Province (Banyo): Baptist Hospital Banyo

The tenth one is due to go operational by July 2008 in the

6. West Province (Bafoussam): Bafoussam Baptist Health Centre

Most clients are low income earners who depend on the CBCHB Oral Health Programme for their dental health. However, the Programme also regularly receives the well-to-do. As at now, this programme is the largest oral healthcare provider in Cameroon.

Services offered include:

1. Cleanings
2. Extractions
3. Fillings (Composite and Glass Ionomer)
4. Root canals
5. Removable partial and complete dentures
6. Third molar surgery
7. Management of facial injuries
8. Removable orthodontic appliances
9. Some cosmetic dentistry
10. Facial veneers using composite
11. Direct resin bonded bridges.

Currently plans are being finalised in collaboration with The Giving Hand Foundation, NC, USA (http://www.winstonsalemdentistry.com/index.php?page=30) to begin a modern dental laboratory at Nkwen Baptist Health Centre, Bamenda to fabricate crowns and bridges.

Achievements

The CBCHB Oral Health Programme was the first in Cameroon to fill adult (permanent) teeth with high viscous Glass Ionomer using the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment technique (ART). This technique is a new approach in the management of dental caries without using dental drill, plumbed water, or electricity. ART involves using hand instruments to clean dental cavities and filling with an adhesive, fluoride-releasing material – Glass Ionomer (High Viscous). The treatment process needs no anaesthetic because pain and discomfort are rare. This approach is entirely consistent with modern concepts of preventive and restorative oral care, which stresses maximum effort in the prevention and minimal invasiveness of oral tissues. The ART technique has enabled the CBCHB Oral Health Programme to go beyond the age of amalgam fillings and Black’s Principles of cavity preparation, with the hope of conserving as much tooth tissues as possible with maximum comfort. The goal of the CBCHB Oral Health Programme is painless dentistry for all.

Community Oral Health Programme

The CBCHB is about to start a Community Oral Health Programme with support from Dentaid, a British dental charity organization devoted to the improvement of oral health in disadvantaged communities around the world (http://www.dentaid.org/projects/23). The programme intends to meet clients at their doorsteps in the fight against oral diseases.

This innovative initiative commences in March 2008 with a School Oral Health Programme in primary schools. The programme will offer oral health education, supervise daily tooth brushing (using tooth brushes and toothpaste), fill teeth using the Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART) technique, and do minor extractions. Other areas of prevention will be included soon.

It is worth noting that Dentaid has already supported the CBCHB with 10 dental surgeries, expert advice, workshops in dental equipment maintenance, infection control in dentistry, and Atraumatic Restorative Treatment.

For more information, please contact:
Dr. Achembong Leo NDIANGANG (Dental Surgeon)
Supervisor, CBCHB Dental Services
Email: dental@cbchealthservices.org