The Taraba State College of Health Technology, Takum  has organised a free oral and dental healthcare outreach for residents of Takum Local Government area as part of activities marking its maiden convocation ceremony.

The college Provost, Dr Wama Binga, while speaking to journalists in Takum on Friday, said that the outreach was aimed at promoting oral health awareness, providing free dental services to the public and showcasing the college’s growing capacity in dental education and training.

The provost said that the outreach was the institution’s way of giving back to the community and a show of support to the development agenda of the Governor  Agbu Kefas’s administration.

She commended the governor for providing the resources that enabled the college to secure accreditation and establish a modern dental clinic, equipped with the facilities and personnel needed t deliver quality oral healthcare.

“We have seen the commitment of the governor to this college. The support we received made it possible for us to achieve accreditation and set up the dental clinic. This outreach is our way of appreciating that support and giving back to the community,” she said.

The provost described the dental laboratory as one of the most difficult health facilities to establish, noting that the college was among the few institutions in North-East Nigeria offering training in dental health.

She stated, “Oral health is an important aspect of healthcare that is often overlooked. With the facilities now available, we are better positioned to train dental health professionals and promote oral health education.”

The  Registrar of the College, Micah Angyu, described the institution’s dental unit as one of the best-equipped in the state.

Mr Angyu appreciated the state government for providing the equipment and qualified personnel who made the establishment of the unit possible.

According to him, the investment has strengthened practical training and expanded access to quality of oral healthcare services.

He said the outreach was organised to address the oral health needs of the community and encouraged residents to take advantage of the services provided by the college’s dental clinic.

Residents, including students, who benefited from the free oral and dental care services, commended the college for the initiative, describing it as a timely intervention that improved awareness of oral health and provided access to professional dental care.

The maiden convocation covering 1995 to 2025 sets of graduates of the institution is slated for Saturday. (NAN)