A volunteer dental outreach by SmileStar global charity, in partnership with CIMAS, has treated 705 patients in just three days during free dental clinics at Mkhosana Clinic in Victoria Falls from 9 to 11 March.
Building on last year’s successful clinics in Victoria Falls and Hwange, the programme has expanded in 2026 to include Matobo, reaching even more communities in need of dental care.
Led once again by Dr Mitesh Badiani, the team of 16 dental professionals (many of whom are volunteers from Dentex, Europe’s largest private dental group) provided urgent treatment and pain relief while also educating patients on preventative oral health and sharing their skills with local healthcare professionals. Dr Badiani noted that dental decay from high sugar consumption, especially in children, was the most common problem treated during the clinics.
“The effects of sugar were one of the most common problems we treated,” Dr Badiani said. “Many of these dental problems are preventable, and education plays a key role in helping to avoid such problems in the future.” Dr Badiani expressed gratitude to Victoria Falls Safari Lodge for its support in hosting the team during their time in Victoria Falls.
Africa Albida Tourism Managing Director Nigel Frost said: “We are proud to partner with SmileStar and CIMAS to help bring these clinics to our communities. This initiative provides vital dental care and education that will continue to benefit the residents of Victoria Falls
long after the clinics have ended.”
Supporting the outreach, Mark Cockburn, Founder of Dentex, added: “Dentex is honoured to support SmileStar in this year’s outreach. Our team members are passionate about using their skills to make a positive impact, and it’s inspiring to see such results from the Victoria Falls
clinics.”
Following the Victoria Falls clinics, SmileStar will continue in Hwange on 13–14 March at Miombo Safari Lodge and Matobo on 17–18 March at Ethandweni Children’s Home, aiming to treat over 1,000 patients across the three regions.
Africa Albida Tourism hospitality group operates the Victoria Falls Safari Collection, which incorporates Victoria Falls Safari Lodge, Victoria Falls Safari Club, Victoria Falls Safari Suites, Lokuthula Lodges, The Boma – Dinner & Drum Show, Victoria Falls Safari Spa, and Queen Nandi Place (a state-of-the-art MICE facility catering to upmarket events) all located on the Victoria Falls Safari Lodge estate, just 4km from the Victoria Falls.
