Bringing smiles to the aged

Small acts of kindness
Combining oral health screenings and education with social activities.
Staff reporter
  • 5 Days Ago

Laughter, friendly competition and conversation filled Katutura Old Age Home when third-year dentistry students from the University of Namibia (UNAM) visited residents to mark International Day of Older Persons.

Accompanied by their lecturers, the students combined oral health education and screenings with games and social activities, highlighting the importance of treating older people with dignity, empathy and compassion.

For Bachelor of Dentistry student Reginald Shamalaza, one of the highlights was seeing classmates bridge language barriers to make sure everyone felt included. “Most residents spoke more Afrikaans than English, and watching our Afrikaans-speaking classmates step in to translate meant that no one was left out,” he said.

Shamalaza described the visit as a warm and humbling experience. Residents enthusiastically joined in games including dominoes, Ludo, Jenga and chess.

Third-year Bachelor of Dental Surgery student Chanice Timbo joined the media team to capture the outreach through photographs and recordings. She also took part in the activities and helped translate for her classmates. “What stood out most was how much the residents enjoyed having people spend time with them, listen to them and enjoy their company,” Timbo said.

She added that the visit offered residents a welcome break from their usual routines.

The outreach also provided practical oral healthcare services. Students explained proper toothbrushing, flossing and denture care, as well as the link between oral health and general well-being.

Under the supervision of lecturers, around 20 residents received oral health screenings. The students recorded details of cases requiring further dental attention to support referrals and follow-up care. Toothbrushes and toothpaste were also distributed to encourage daily oral hygiene.

The experience reinforced the students’ understanding that good healthcare goes beyond clinical skills. Shamalaza highlighted the importance of respecting older patients and ensuring that screening leads to appropriate treatment, while Timbo reflected on the value of listening and simply being present.