HIGH costs of dental health equipment has been blamed for being among factors hindering improved dental care in the country.

The Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS)'s School of Dentistry Dean, Dr Elifuraha Mumghumba, made the disclosure in an interview with THISDAY in Dar es Salaam yesterday, stating that dental equipment were very expensive and their availability was limited in the country.

Speaking ahead of the 30th anniversary of the MUHAS Dental School set to be marked between December 5 and 10, this year, Dr Mumghumba said the majority of Tanzanians never undergo dental check ups and as a result they report to hospitals when the infection is in a critical stage.

“Removing a tooth comes as a last resort...If a patient reported to hospital when still in early stage of infection there would be no need of removing the tooth since there are now fillings for decaying teeth,” he said.

He thus called on Tanzanians to ensure that they undergo dental check ups in order to detect infection in early stages.

On its establishment, he said the dental school was mandated to train dentists, carry researches on dental health as well as to provide services to the public.

“We have so far trained about 311 dentists from within and outside the country while we have also carried out a number of researches on dental health,” he said.

Adding: “With the improved technology, removing a decayed tooth is now outdated. A decayed tooth is now filled with either almagum (black fillings) or composite (white fillings)...If the decay is in a worse stage then the tooth will be removed and replaced.”

The chairperson of the anniversary's organizing committee, Dr Emeria Mugonzibwa-Mwanga, said financial institutions in the country should consider starting to offer credit facilities to empower health practitioners undertake their activities smoothly.

She also called for dental check ups among Tanzanians, noting that among activities during the anniversary would be free check ups for the public.