Atholl dentists, Drs Norman Cahi, Emile Cahi and Chelsea Cahi did dental work on 45 orphans from Alexandra’s Thuthuzela Orphanage on 5 April.
“A smile is the same in every language and the children from this orphanage all deserve a healthy smile,” said Dr Norman Cahi.
As part of this outreach programme, the children will receive a dental check-up and further treatments in the future if need be. All of these treatments are done free of charge. Each child was given a bag with a toothbrush, toothpaste, toys and healthy snacks.
Dental assistant, Lorraine Mwelase, gave each child a lesson in brushing, flossing and basic oral hygiene. She said that she was very touched by the orphans’ eagerness to learn about their teeth and how to take care of them. For many of the orphans, this was their first time at a dentist but Dr Norman Cahi said that they handled their check-ups well and that he was truly touched by their gratitude.
He further explained that a healthy smile should not be a privilege, but a gift that all children should receive. “Thuthuzela is a term which means ‘comforting’. This name is quite apt because all children deserve to be healthy, looked after and comforted.”
The dentists at this practice are doing this community service as part of their Miss South Africa sponsorship. “Miss South Africa and the good work done by all who take part in Miss South Africa is synonymous with what we believe here at the practice. It is so important to give back to the community. Especially our children,” concluded Dr Norman Cahi.
After their treatments and check-ups, the children from Thuthuzela all had the opportunity to meet Miss South Africa, Ntandoyenkosi Kunene, who took to Instagram and said, “I will be spending time with 45 angels from Thuthuzela Orphanage in Alex.”
