Corus News

Laurens Hessels, dental technician from Corus in the Netherlands, recently embarked on a unique journey volunteering with Westland4Gambia: a team dedicated to improving dental care for children and adults in Gambia.

Laurens’ objective was clear: to establish a functioning dental laboratory within an existing practice and train local staff in prosthetic techniques to enable independent care.

As Corus we proudly supported him, not only encouraging the initiative but also donating materials and equipment to the project.

During the mission, Laurens quickly encountered the realities of a low-resource environment. “The lab had yet to take shape, and I would spend the next few days working on it,” he wrote. Instruments needed repair, workbenches had to be arranged and spaces adapted for precise prosthetic work.

Laurens also trained Modoulamin, a Young local student, alongside the resident dentist, guiding them through every step of creating partial dentures using a real patient case. “For the bite registration, we had to improvise with some putty. Much of the work relied on feeling and judgment, and we fixed everything in the articulator,” he recalls. Limited tools, delayed acrylic shipments and high temperatures made each step a learning opportunity and highlighted the value of hands-on expertise.

Reflecting on the prosthetic results, Laurens observed: “Despite all the teeth we had brought, we couldn’t find the perfect shade for every tooth. A minor drawback, but we had to work with the materials available locally; sometimes, there’s no alternative. I’ve heard that the patient is very happy. Aesthetics play a much smaller role here than functionality and that function has now been fully restored.”

Outside the laboratory, Laurens explored the wider healthcare context. He visited Lamin Health Center, understanding its growth from a simple hut that provided paracetamol into a fully operational hospital. “Her story, how she started from nothing and gradually created something substantial, was hugely inspiring,” he notes.

He also accompanied school visits, observing the mobile dental clinic of the organization in action: extractions, preventive care and education for children who might otherwise never see a dentist.

We are glad to have had the opportunity to be involved in this initiative. The lab he helped set up, and the staff he trained, will continue to deliver prosthetic care long after the volunteers returned home.

Reflecting on the experience, Laurens wrote: “This week in Gambia gave me more than I could have imagined. Amid the heat, the waiting, the improvisation and occasional frustrations, one thing remained central: making a difference for people who truly need it.”

Through initiatives like this, we continue to create opportunities for learning, impact, and growth, supporting dental professionals in making a tangible difference worldwide.