LIONESS WEEKENDER COVER STORY
Dentalcare Foundation, on a mission to advance oral health equity across underserved communities in Africa
Adekemi Adeniyan is a rural dentist breaking barriers to oral healthcare access in Nigeria. As founder of Dentalcare Foundation, she provides free dental services to underserved communities. Dr. Adeniyan also advances oral health literacy creatively through Nigeria’s first illustrated children’s oral health storybook “The Girl Who Found Her Smile” and the lively “Anita Says” animation series. Her innovative storytelling makes oral care engaging and accessible, empowering future generations. For significantly expanding healthcare access, Dr. Adeniyan has earned honours including Nigeria’s Woman of the Year in Healthcare and Leading Ladies Africa’s 100 Most Inspiring Women. The business was launched in 2019 and today has 15 employees.
Lioness Weekender spoke to the inspirational Adekemi Adeniyan about her work, her life-enhancing social enterprise, and her passion for helping people to maintain their oral health.
What does your company do?
Dentalcare Foundation is a nonprofit organization on a mission to advance oral health equity across underserved communities in Africa. We strive to break down barriers to dental care access starting from childhood.
Our main initiatives include:
- Providing free dental services through mobile dentistry clinics to rural schools and orphanages. We offer dental screenings, basic treatments, and preventative care.
- Conducting engaging oral health education through storytelling, books, arts, and interactive lessons. We teach proper brushing, flossing, nutrition, and dental hygiene.
- Training community health workers to promote oral health and expand outreach efforts.
- Distributing free dental supplies like toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss to promote daily oral hygiene.
- Advocating for policies to strengthen dental care infrastructure and access nationwide.
We believe every child deserves the chance to grow up with a healthy smile. By making oral health resources and knowledge accessible even in remote areas, we aim to build a future where dental care is equitable across Nigeria.
What inspired you to start your company?
Dentalcare Foundation was born from a calling and a deep desire to expand access to oral healthcare. After graduating dental school, I felt drawn to serve vulnerable children and families unable to afford dental services or reach dental facilities. I started volunteering with nonprofits, discovering just how great the unmet need was. This only fueled my passion more.
After my NYSC service in Ado-Ekiti, my pastor and mentor, Apostle. Jide Ojo, urged me to put into action a part of my calling by starting Dentalcare Foundation. While fear of failure held me back initially, I'm so glad I took the leap of faith.
Seeing the transformations in the children we serve is endlessly rewarding. I'll never forget the joy of giving a child their first toothbrush or seeing their smile after a simple treatment. The light in their eyes inspires me daily. Although we have miles to go, the progress we've made reminds me that creating change starts with a single step.
I'm thankful for the collective vision making Dentalcare Foundation's work possible. By expanding oral health access and education, we can empower vulnerable communities with the gift of healthy smiles. The road ahead is long but fulfilling. I look forward to creating lasting change and spreading more smiles across Nigeria.
Why should anyone use your service or product?
Dentalcare Foundation takes an innovative and engaging approach to oral health promotion. We leverage the power of storytelling and animation to educate children about dental hygiene in a memorable way.
Some of our unique strategies include:
- Producing oral health focused animation series for Nigerian children called "Anita Says." This lively cartoon makes learning about brushing, flossing, and visiting the dentist fun.
- Co creating oral health stories with children. These stories feature culturally relevant characters and reinforce healthy dental habits.
- Incorporating music, dances, plays and art into our oral health lessons. This interactive format sticks with children better than lectures alone.
- Using mobile dentistry clinics to literally bring free dental care services to remote villages and schools lacking access. The provision of hands-on treatment makes the health lessons tangible.
- Training local volunteers and schoolteachers on oral health so they can further disseminate the message in their communities. This expands our reach.
Our innovation helps set us apart in advancing dental care access and education in Africa.
Tell us a little about your team:
At Dentalcare Foundation, we are blessed to have a dedicated team of volunteers united by a shared purpose of expanding oral health access across Africa
Our team includes:
- Passionate dentists who volunteer their time to provide free dental services through our mobile clinics. Their commitment to serving vulnerable communities is inspiring.
- Health educators who help train teachers and volunteers to promote dental hygiene. Their instructional design expertise brings our lessons to life.
-Hardworking volunteers from local communities who help organize outreach events and amplify our message. Their grassroots involvement is invaluable.
- School teachers and administrators who eagerly collaborate to integrate oral health into their classrooms. Their partnership is essential for reaching children.
Each member of our team plays an important role in how we are able to creatively educate thousands of children annually. I feel honoured to work alongside such a committed group seeking to create lasting oral health impact globally.
Share a little about your entrepreneurial journey. And do you come from an entrepreneurial background?
Social Entrepreneurship was not originally on my radar but looking back I see how my upbringing planted seeds for the path I'm on today.
My parents were both health entrepreneurs in Nigeria. Watching them build their small businesses and serve their communities motivated me from a young age. Though I did not plan to become an entrepreneur initially, their example inspired my passion for creating change.
After starting my dental career, I saw firsthand the urgent lack of access to oral healthcare and education among vulnerable Nigerian children. This sparked the idea to found Dentalcare Foundation and tackle this need creatively.
With encouragement from mentors, I took the leap into social entrepreneurship. While challenging at times, the joy of empowering underserved communities through innovative dental outreach programs makes the effort worthwhile.
I feel blessed to combine my clinical skills, passion for service, and entrepreneurial drive to expand oral health access. Though the road ahead is long, the progress we've made by thinking creatively keeps me motivated. I hope to inspire the next generation of young innovators committed to addressing oral health disparities.
In the end, I didn't choose social entrepreneurship - it chose me. This journey has taught me that a heart to serve others will always bear fruit, regardless of the path. I'm excited to see the continued impact we can make.
What are your future plans and aspirations for your company?
My aim is to continue diversifying our creative approaches to promote oral health access and education across Nigeria and beyond. I believe creativity is a powerful teaching tool. So I aspire to continue writing and producing original oral health music and dance content for children. The songs and dances will be developed in local languages and cultures that will reinforce positive dental care messages through arts. Also expanding the use of virtual reality to promote oral health literacy and oral hygiene practices.
What gives you the most satisfaction being an entrepreneur?
As a social entrepreneur, the biggest satisfaction comes from seeing the tangible impact created by bringing an idea to life. At Dentalcare Foundation, the moments that fulfill me most are seeing children grin ear-to-ear after receiving a care kit or having a painful tooth restored. Those smiles represent transformed lives.
Beyond the impact itself, I feel humbled to be pursuing the vision God placed on my heart. Seeing His purpose for me unfolding to serve others is the greatest honor. The entrepreneurial journey has challenged me to grow in faith and character as we overcome obstacles.
While certainly not easy, the privilege of leading a team that is creating meaningful change is what keeps me going. The support and encouragement from mentors, volunteers, and the children inspire me to press on. My job involves heartwork more than hard work.
What's the biggest piece of advice you can give to other women looking to start-up?
I would say believe in yourself and your vision wholeheartedly. Stay resilient in the face of challenges and surround yourself with a supportive network of mentors and peers who can offer guidance and encouragement along the way.
Find out more:
Email: a.adeniyan@atlanticfellows.org
Website: http://www.dentcarefoundation.org
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/kikelomo.adeniyan
Twitter: https://twitter.com/PstDrKemi?t=eSoSXeHbRxzmr7vYnw4YDg&s=09
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/dentdocdekky/?hl=en
YouTube: https://youtube.com/@letstalkmouth?si=J-iGjfbyCSX_tVXf
