Smiles Restored in the Margins: Inside MKU’s Bold Mission Bringing Free Dental Care to Remote County

Mount Kenya University (MKU) has reinforced its commitment to community health by taking its medical outreach programme to Kapenguria in West Pokot County, where hundreds of residents benefited from free dental services.

The outreach, held on Thursday, March 19, 2026, at Makutano School, was part of activities to mark World Oral Health Day. Organised through MKU’s Department of Dental Sciences under the College of Health Sciences, the initiative also formed part of the university’s broader Supporting Communities campaign, which focuses on expanding access to preventive healthcare across the country.

The exercise brought together MKU alumni, faculty and students, all working to raise awareness on oral health while providing essential dental care to underserved communities. It was also a key activity during the university’s ongoing Oral Health Awareness Week.

The programme was spearheaded by MKU alumna Christine Semekal, CEO of Oral Health Mashinani and a graduate of the institution’s Bachelor of Science in Oral Health programme. Working alongside partners including the West Pokot County Government, Glow Foundation, Arrow Dental and the Kenya Red Cross, the team reached out to more than 2,000 beneficiaries, distributing toothbrushes and toothpaste to promote proper oral hygiene.

Speaking during the event, MKU alumnus and Oral Health Association of Kenya representative, Musa Kiptanui, who also serves as a Council Member of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), praised the initiative for advancing access to healthcare in remote areas.

“This kind of outreach is key to achieving universal health coverage. By bringing services closer to the people, especially in underserved regions like West Pokot, we are directly supporting the government’s Bottom-Up Economic Transformation Agenda,” he said.

West Pokot County Director of Public Health, Benson Chumankemer, who attended as the chief guest, commended the programme’s strong focus on prevention.

“Preventive healthcare is critical in reducing the overall disease burden. Initiatives like this not only treat but also educate communities, which has a lasting impact,” he noted.

Representing the MKU Vice Chancellor, Alumni Relations Director Ms. Virginia Kiunga lauded the alumni-led effort, emphasising that community engagement remains central to the university’s mission.

“We are proud of our alumni and students for taking the lead in transforming lives. Community service is at the heart of MKU, and this outreach reflects our dedication to making a real difference,” she said.

Residents from Kapenguria and surrounding areas received a range of services, including dental check-ups, oral hygiene education and referrals for specialised care where necessary. For many, this was a rare opportunity to access professional dental services.

The outreach also provided MKU students pursuing dental and health-related courses with valuable hands-on experience under the guidance of experienced professionals. The exposure helps build their clinical skills while preparing them to deliver community-focused healthcare.

West Pokot, like many rural regions in Kenya, continues to face limited access to oral health services. By bringing care directly to the community, MKU is helping bridge this gap, particularly for school-going children who require early screening and guidance on maintaining good oral hygiene.

World Oral Health Day, marked annually on March 20, aims to raise awareness about the importance of oral health. The 2026 theme, “A Happy Mouth is… A Happy Life,” highlights the link between oral health and overall well-being, encouraging people to adopt daily preventive habits.

Through initiatives such as the Kapenguria outreach, MKU continues to demonstrate leadership in health education while advancing its mission of empowering communities and improving lives through accessible, preventive care.