By September next year, thousands of underprivileged children in Zululand will each have their toothbrush. This is the dream of local dentist and oral hygienist Dr Refiloe Margaret Makgato.

Dr Makgato is launching a Toothbrush Pledge with the aim to collect as many as possible toothbrushes across three districts, namely: Umkhanyakude, Zululand and King Cetshwayo. These toothbrushes will then be donated to underprivileged deserving smiles in an effort to increase access to oral health devices.

Her aim is to collect as many toothbrushes as possible in order to hand out the toothbrushes to deserving recipients during Oral Health Month (September 2021).

Dr Makgato believes that teeth form an integral part of a person’s image, which is why she has started the Toothbrush Pledge. Her aim is to give young boys and girls confidence by giving them a smile, to furthermore promote the subject of oral health in society by educating, preventing oral disease and promoting oral health, therefore reducing the high prevalence of dental cavities.

She says oral health is a serious issue in rural areas, where there is often a lack of education on the importance of looking after one’s teeth. In a poverty-stricken household, buying food takes priority over buying a toothbrush. However, the condition of a person’s teeth ultimately affects his overall health, as well as his self-esteem and social acceptance.

‘The Toothbush Pledge will also get people to own up to their social responsibilities by donating toothbrushes,’ Dr Makgato says.

‘After collecting the targeted number of toothbrushes (2 million), these toothbrushes will be donated to schools in all three districts during Oral Health Month (September 2021).’

DONATE A TOOTHBRUSH, DONATE A SMILE

The public, businesses and organisations are invited to take part in the Toothbrush Pledge. Please purchase an extra toothbrush and drop off your donation at any of Dr Makgato’s dental practices.

• Five Ways Dental
  Shop no. 17, Five Ways Mall, Empangeni
  063 353 9134
• Umhlathuze Dental
  Shop no. 25, Lakeside Mall, Richards Bay
  035 789 1662
• Mtubatuba
  Bus & Taxi City Shop 29
  035 550 2940
• Ulundi Plaza
  Mangosuthu Street, Room 13
  035 870 3989

More drop-off points will be announced in due course.

For more information, call 064 519 5575 or visit the Facebook page Toothbrush Pledge.

About Dr R.M. Makgato

Dr R.M Makgato is a General Dentist and Oral Hygienist.

She obtained her qualification at Wits University, she then did her community service at KwaCeza Hospital, there after she has been in private practice. In 2018 she then established her own Dental Laboratory that manufactures teeth to reach the most desirable outcome for patients.

Dr Makgato finds it fulfilling to restore smiles and she finds dentistry life-changing to most of her patients.