Next time you’re in the shops or in the toothpaste isle, consider buying an extra toothbrush or two as a donation towards the Toothbrush Pledge. This Toothbrush Pledge was launched late last year with the aim of collecting as many as possible toothbrushes for children from underprivileged communities.

Local dentist and oral hygienist, Dr Refiloe Makgato has a dream of providing thousands of underprivileged children in Zululand with their very own toothbrush.

She wants to collect as many toothbrushes as possible across three districts – uMkhanyakude, Zululand and King Cetshwayo. The collected toothbrushes will be donated to underprivileged children during Oral Health Month – September – to improve oral health among children.

The importance of having one’s own toothbrush

‘Teeth form an integral part of a person’s image. I want to give young boys and girls confidence by giving them a happy smile. I also want to promote oral health and help prevent oral disease in our communities, by means of education,’ she says.

Dr Makgato says poor 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.

But Dr Makgato says the condition of a person’s teeth ultimately affects his or her overall health, as well as self-esteem and social acceptance.

Companies challenged to support the Toothbrush Pledge

So far, a number of toothbrushes have already been donated. Shoprite in Mtubatuba has donated a whole box of toothbrushes and the company I-dental has pledged to donate a massive amount of 1000 toothbrushes towards the Toothbrush Pledge.

Dr Makgato is calling on other corporate companies, organisations and businesses big and small to come on board and show their support for the Toothbrush Pledge.

‘This is your opportunity to own up to your social responsibilities by donating toothbrushes.’

‘Schools are also more than welcome to support this drive. If every learner is able to donate just one toothbrush, that means we will be able to help hundreds of children from impoverished areas.’

Once there has been enough donations, Dr Makgato plans on distributing the toothbrushes among schools in all three districts during Oral Health Month in September.

Donate a toothbrush, donate a smile

Toothbrushes may be dropped off at any of Dr Makgato’s dental practices:

• Five Ways Dental Shop, No 17 Five Ways Mall, Empangeni (063 3539134)
• uMhlathuze Dental Shop, No 25, Lakeside Mall, Richards Bay (035 7891662)
• Mtubatuba Bus & Taxi City, Shop 29 (035 5502940)
• Ulundi Plaza, Mangosuthu Street, Room 13 (035 8703989)

For more information, call 064 5195575 or visit the Facebook page ‘Toothbrush Pledge’.

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