Hon. Gbolahan Yishawu’s 10th free dental health outreach has reached a milestone, impacting over 12,000 residents of Eti-Osa Constituency 2, Lagos State, with more than 3,000 dental procedures provided free of charge.
The event, held at the Y Arena on Awolowo Road, offered a wide range of dental treatments including extractions, fillings, scaling and polishing, surgical procedures, root canal therapy, and dentures.
Speaking, Hon. Yishawu described each edition of the outreach as critical, emphasizing the need to bring relief to residents who may not otherwise afford quality dental care.
“Every single edition is important to us. It gives us the opportunity to bring comfort and relief to our constituents. By the end of this year’s program, we would have successfully carried out over 15,000 procedures since inception,” he stated.
The free Dental healthcare commences 16th June and it is expected to end on the 21 June 2025.
Dr. Olamilekan Fatokun, one of the lead dentists at the outreach, highlighted the importance of regular dental visits. “Many people avoid seeing dentists until their condition deteriorates due to the high cost of treatment. This initiative gives them access to the care they need before it becomes too late,” he noted, urging residents to prioritize check-ups every six months even without symptoms.
Dr. Banjo Oluwasegun, another volunteer dentist, expressed concern over the high blood pressure levels observed in many attendees. “Our minimum BP reading was 150. Even a 15-year-old recorded 145, which is alarming. We need to intensify awareness on general health, not just dental hygiene,” he warned.
Dr. Oluwasegun also praised the increasing awareness among residents, noting a shift from heavy tooth extractions in earlier editions to more preventive care like fillings and oral cleaning. “On the first day alone, we recorded over 50 denture fittings. People are becoming more proactive with their oral health, thanks to consistent outreach and education,” he said.
The outreach programme also offered referrals for complex procedures that couldn’t be handled on-site. Patients were referred to clinics where they received treatment at no cost, with all bills covered by the initiative. Procedures such as crowns and multi-visit root canals were among those completed outside the venue.
The impact of the programme was evident in the testimonies of beneficiaries. Mrs. Ihedioha Pauline, a widow, shared how she had asked her son to wait for the outreach instead of paying a hefty hospital bill for a toothache. “I couldn’t afford the hospital fee. But thanks to this programme, my son is now fine, and I also came for my own dental issue,” she said.
Mr. Adesola Ekemode, a long-time beneficiary, commended the lawmaker’s dedication. “My entire family has benefited from his programs over the years. I pray he continues in office to complete more of his projects. This initiative touches both young and old,” he remarked.
Moshood Adekunle, a youth participant, appreciated the privilege to access free services like scaling and polishing, describing current dental costs as beyond the reach of many. “What we get here for free now costs a lot in private clinics. We’re grateful for this consistent support,” he said.
Others in the community echoed similar sentiments, praising Hon. Yishawu not just for the dental program but for his broader healthcare and educational initiatives. Many called him “a true servant of the people,” with some saying he’s gone beyond politics to become a symbol of compassion.
Now in its 10th edition in the series, the outreach continues to bridge the healthcare gap in Eti-Osa Constituency 2, reflecting Hon. Yishawu’s belief that governance should alleviate hardship and make essential services accessible to all.
