Teeth infections can trigger a crisis in sickle cell patients

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While providing free dental service, the Uganda Dental Association partnered with Rising Friends, Ntinda and Whisper's Magical Children's Hospital, Jinja to screen for sickle cell patients at Bwenge General Referral Hospital, Jinja

“Before patients could receive any dental treatment,” Dr. Biren Yajnik, the president of UDA said they had to know their sick cell status.”

The 2024 journal of National Library of medicines puts Uganda in fifth position in Africa with sickle cell diseases. The journal goes on to say that Uganda has 13.3% of children having sickle cell trait and 5,000–20,000 babies born with Sickle cell annually, of which 80% die before their fifth birthday.

Residents from over 15 villages surrounding the hospitals were tested for sickle cell disease.

Henry Lugoloire of Rising Friends Ntinda in partnership with Whisper's Magical Children's Hospital, Jinja said there are higher chances of people with sickle cells for their immunity to be compromised if they have many infections.

“Any thing that leads to infections needs to be treated earlier like a tooth infection,” Lugolobi said during the observation of world oral health day in conjunction with Uganda Dental Association at Bwenge. “The infections that are in the teeth are some of the things that can trigger a crisis in sickle cell patients, and they become sick.”

Lugoloire advised people to test for sickle cell early. 

“Awareness that you might have it is the best cure,” he says. “It is good to know before making a choice in marriage because very many children suffer from the disease, where by they are in and out of the hospital.”

After dental treatment, those who were found with the disease were sent to Whisper's Magical Children's Hospital, Jinja where treatment is free of charge.