As more stories of patients struggling to get appointments with an NHS dental practice appear it’s easy to believe that we’re poorly off as a nation. Now, imagine a world where more than 70 million people are served by only 600 dentists. That’s the reality of life in Tanzania. Access to even the most basic dental care is a daily struggle. Helping put in place measures to improve access to oral healthcare in Tanzania is an ongoing priority for Shaenna Loughnane, CEO of Bridge2Aid.
In a recent episode of Practice Plan’s In the Loupe podcast series, Shaenna explained how UK dental teams can play a pivotal role in transforming lives through sustainable, ethical volunteering and meaningful social impact.
As dental professionals, it’s easy to get caught up in the day-to-day challenges of the NHS, UDA targets, and rising operational costs. But zooming out and viewing dentistry from a global perspective not only offers a fresh sense of purpose—it presents real opportunities to make a difference where it’s needed most.
Building Skills, Building Futures
Bridge2Aid is a charity with deep roots in East Africa, most notably Tanzania. Their current work focuses on two life-changing initiatives: eradicating infant oral mutilation and expanding the capabilities of dental therapists in rural communities.
To put this into context: Tanzania has a population roughly the size of the UK, yet only a tiny fraction of our dental workforce. In response, the Tanzanian government has launched nine new dental therapy schools to train local people from underserved areas. The goal is simple —train locals so they can return to their communities and provide lasting, essential care.
Bridge2Aid partners with Tanzanian NGOs (Non-governmental Organisations) and the Ministry of Health to offer clinical outreach programmes that deliver training and hands-on support to these dental therapists. UK dental professionals—dentists, therapists, nurses, and hygienists—are able to join these two-week placements. Volunteers work side-by-side with local trainees, helping to develop skills in areas such as root canal treatment and denture provision, while also seeing around 2,000 patients in the process.
This model is sustainable as it’s not a case of volunteers parachuting in and then leaving. The therapists who are trained stay in the communities long after everyone has gone, creating a legacy that lasts.
The Human Impact: More Than Just Teeth
The work done can have life changing effects for some patients. The example of an 18-year-old girl who was missing her two front teeth illustrates this. For her, getting a simple denture was about more than just aesthetics—it was about the chance to get a job, to find a partner and to belong. Although the emphasis in the past may have been on extractions to offer immediate relief, the focus of teams has now shifted more to restorations and education to help people retain their teeth.
Bridge2Aid’s impact spreads wider than Tanzania. ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) values are increasingly important for UK practices. A 2024 survey revealed that 96% of dental teams consider ESG “very or extremely important.” Getting involved with a cause like Bridge2Aid directly supports the “social” aspect of ESG, showing patients, staff, and the wider community that a practice stands for something bigger.
The Unity Partnership: Sponsor a Therapist, Transform a Community
For practices unable to send team members abroad, Bridge2Aid’s Unity Partnership offers a powerful alternative. For just £1,000, a dental practice can sponsor the training of one dental therapist. That sponsorship comes with updates, photos, and stories from the field—all of which can be shared on the practice website, social media, or waiting room screens.
The donation forges a connection allowing the team to follow the journey of the therapist they support and seeing the direct results of their investment as lives are changed. Practices also receive recognition on the Bridge2Aid website and are invited to participate in Unity Partner webinars that foster community and shared learning.
Giving as a Path to Wellbeing
Supporting Bridge2Aid’s work chimes perfectly with the theme of 2025’s Mental Health Awareness Week which was “community”. One of the five proven ways to boost wellbeing is to give. This needn’t mean simply donating money as it includes volunteering time, sharing skills, or simply following and amplifying Bridge2Aid’s work online to contribute to a wider sense of purpose.
For those who volunteer, the experience can be life changing. From camaraderie with other volunteers to bonding with Tanzanian communities, these experiences can be a real boost to anyone at risk of burnout or workplace fatigue.
Opportunities to Get Involved
Whether you want to offer your services in person or support from your practice chair, there are plenty of ways to engage:
- Volunteer on a two-week training programme in Tanzania
- Sponsor a dental therapist through the Unity Partnership
- Fundraise by joining events like the “5K for B2A” or the Kilimanjaro cycle challenge.
- Follow and share Bridge2Aid on social media to help raise awareness
- Support locally—Bridge2Aid is also launching initiatives in the UK, starting in Bristol and Leeds, offering even more accessible ways to get involved.
Small Actions, Big Impact
Supporting Bridge2Aid—whether through funding, volunteering, or advocacy—is an act of global citizenship. It’s community in the truest sense and is a reminder that every extraction avoided, every tooth restored, and every person educated has the power to ripple out and change the lives of others in their community.
To find out more about how your practice can support Bridge2Aid, visit: https://www.bridge2aid.org