Dental company helping the poor

AN ALSTONVILLE business is improving dental health in developing countries and raising money for cleft palate restoration surgery for people in Bangladesh.

Filling the gap: General manager Rachael Rose, of Troll Dental in Alstonville, is recycling and giving old dental instruments a new life by donating to dental surgeries in developing countries. . Picture: Jay Cronan

AN ALSTONVILLE business is helping the environment, improving dental health in developing countries and raising money for cleft palate restoration surgery for hundreds of people in Bangladesh.

It might seem like a lot to take on, but it’s not the first time Troll Dental has shown its commitment to making a difference.

General manager of the dental equipment supply company, Rachael Rose, said it was the third time they had been involved with LM Instruments’ EcoAct campaign.

“Our take on it is that we can recycle and raise a little bit of money for our chosen charity,” she said.

“A lot of these instruments go into landfill when they could be used in developing countries.

“And if they’re not suitable for dental work they can still be used for plenty of other things.”

Rachel said some of their old equipment had wound up in the hands of Easter egg decorators, potters sculptors and jewellery makers.

“It’s surprising what you can use them for,” she said.

As part of the campaign dentists are encouraged to hand in their unwanted instruments.

In return they are eligible for a 30 per cent discount on new gear.

“All dental instruments of reasonable quality are made available for use by dental projects in developing countries, through organisations such as the Rotary Club,” Ms Rose said.

“In previous years we have sent instruments to dental projects in various countries including Laos, Vanuatu, India, Nepal, Cocos Islands and East Timor.”

Instruments which can’t be sent overseas can be purchased through TrollDental for a gold coin donation.

That money will go to Operation Cleft, a charity that provides cleft palate restoration operations for hundreds of people in Bangladesh.

More than 300,000 people in Bangladesh have untreated clefts, and 3000 to 4000 babies are born with the condition every year.

Clefts can cause difficulty with speaking and eating.

Children may also startgoing deaf around age 12 because of middle ear infections.

To get involved with EcoAct, contact TrollDental on 6628 3866. To find out more on Operation Cleft, visit www.operationcleft.org.au.

Originally published as Dental company helping the poor