Thousands of teeth and 11 years later Dr Joseph Joshua is hosting his last free dental clinic in Saldanha.
Joshua has a dental practice in the Netherlands, but annually returns to his home town to provide free tooth extractings. His first clinic was held in 2012 in Saldanha. Later he expanded to other local towns. Thousands of patients turned up for the free service.
Now, after a two-year absence due to the covid pandemic, the clinic is back, but according to the dentist’s mother, Cynthia, this will be his last. “This year we will be only at the White City Multipurpose Centre in Saldanha from Monday 14 August to the end of that work week,” she pointed out. “Patients should note extractions will be done only to aid pain relief.”
The service of the dental clinic is so needed that during the last clinic patients who couldn’t be helped due to capacity actually turned on Joshua and his team. Threats of burning sites down were made and would-be patients erupted into rebellion. Cynthia said due to these threats additional security will be at this year’s clinic.
“Joseph aims to do 100 extractions per day, and we ask patients to understand that,” she said. “He is working alone and can do only so much. Patients should be sure to come early and bring everything they need for a long wait.”
Patients who need medication and to eat at regular intervals should make provision for this. A morning meal will be provided for those waiting. Locals who can help with donations for this meal can contact Cynthia.
Patients looking to visit the clinic must remember to bring their identity documents and children’s clinic cards should also be brought along.
Registration starts daily at 07:00 at the centre.
For more info, or to donate to the clinic, contact Cynthia on 022 714 2620.
