A trio of north-east dental experts are taking their skills 5,000 miles to Africa next June to help provide people with essential oral healthcare and equipment.
Qualified dental nurses Natalie Williamson and Sophie Grant and dentist Dr Hawar Al-Haddad, will spend a fortnight volunteering in Zambia with the charity DentAid.
To raise funds for the trip, the trio from Queen Street Dental Centre in Peterhead are hosting a string of events and competitions.
They are aiming to amass £6600 to cover travel costs, purchase basic dental supplies and support DentAid projects.
Miss Williamson said: “We decided to take on this amazing opportunity as we have worked in dentistry for many years now and have experienced a lot of different situations and seen how much dentistry in our country is progressing.
“This made us realise that not everyone is as fortunate as ourselves so we looked into helping others in third world countries and came across DentAid.
“We do enjoy treating the local people of Peterhead but would like to bring our skills and knowledge to under-privileged people.
“We are really looking forward to the fundraising. It is going to be a fun challenge but I’m sure with everyone’s support we will reach our target.”
Events such as coffee mornings, quiz nights and bingo nights as well as competitions for teeth whitening will help the group raise funds.
During the trip, the group will treat patients in the Itezhi Tezhi Hospital and run outreach clinics in surrounding villages as well as visit local churches and schools to educate people on good dental hygiene.
Miss Williamson said: “We cannot wait to see the relief on the patients’ faces when we finally help them with their problems.
“Some patients have to walk 120km (74 miles) to see a dentist so it is going to be a huge eye opener.”
Their first event will take place in the Apex Church Hall from noon to 2.30pm.
To donate, visit
justgiving.com/crowdfunding/natalie-williamson-4
