In a dual initiative that supports workers and budding dental professionals, Thumbay Dental Hospital in Al Jurf, Ajman has been offering free dental treatment to workers while also providing students with practical training in dental medicine.
Many workers often skip essential dental treatments due to the lack of dental insurance coverage. However, Thumbay Dental Hospital has been bridging this gap since April 2018.
According to a Khaleej Times report, workers can simply present a labour card and avail free dental services between 9am and 9pm from Monday to Friday. The services include full-mouth oral screenings, diagnostic X-rays, fillings, root canal treatments, and more.
In the past five years, the hospital has served over 23,000 workers from Ajman and neighboring emirates. Dr. Danavanthi Bangera, the medical director of the hospital, said to Khaleej Times, “We firmly believe that everyone deserves access to high-quality dental care, regardless of their financial situation.”
The program also benefits dental students and interns from Gulf Medical University’s (GMU) College of Dentistry. They receive critical hands-on training, supervised by experienced faculty members. Baiza Kaminzada, a dental intern at GMU, emphasized the importance of the diverse cases she encountered during her education.
Prof. Hesham Marei, dean of College of Dentistry at GMU, highlighted the initiative’s dual impact. He mentioned in a Khaleej Times report, “Not only does it provide valuable training, but it also positively impacts the well-being of the community.”
Mohammed Akram, a Sharjah-based construction worker who availed the service, expressed his gratitude. After long enduring a toothache, he visited Thumbay Dental Hospital on a colleague’s advice and received a root canal treatment. Akram thanked both GMU and the hospital, hoping they continue their generous services.