A LOCAL dentist is set to offer her services in Kenya as part of a charity volunteering programme.

Magdalena Laskowska from Harwood Dental Practice in Tavistock, will be travelling with ten other volunteers and the charity organisation SmileStar, to visit different tribes in Kenya.

Setting off on November 8, Magdalena has funded the two-week trip herself, by securing sponsorship from friends, family and patients. The volunteers have also contacted dental companies for the donation of products to take on the trip, such as gloves, anaesthetics and syringes.

The group will travel to different tribes in Kenya to treat men, women and children. The treatment will be mostly the extraction of teeth due to the poor state of dental health in these areas.

SmileStar was set up by Dr Mitesh Badiani who will be travelling with the other volunteers. Dr Badiani is principal to several dental practices across the South West and set up the charity to extend routine dental treatment to as many people as possible, especially in remote communities where there has never been even basic dental care available.

SmileStar has been able to improve the dental health of hundreds of people across Uganda, Kenya and India.

Magdalena said: ‘Having heard about the work of the SmileStar charity through Dr Mitesh Badiani, I decided I would like to become involved with this amazing organisation. SmileStar also looks after UK charity C Group, which provides ex royal marines with free dental care.

‘Taking part in some form of charity work has always been something I would like to do and this upcoming trip has spurred me on to get involved. I am really excited at the prospect of providing dental care to disadvantaged and remote communities in Kenya who have no way of accessing even basic dental care. This is such a great opportunity to give something back as well as meeting so many locals and getting a glimpse of such a beautiful country whilst we work.

‘I am dedicating my trip to the memory of my much loved father who passed away earlier this year. He would have been so excited and supportive of this opportunity.

‘I would also like to say a big thank you to all those who have contributed towards dental supplies that I am taking out to Kenya. It is really appreciated.’