Pader Health Centre III to host dental medical camp 2026

16 April 2026, 4:39 pm

By Geoffrey Okwong

Pader Health Centre III in Pader District is set to host a dental medical camp aimed at improving access to oral health services in the community.

The outreach program, scheduled to take place from 4th to 8th May 2026, will be held at Pader Health Centre III and will provide a wide range of dental services including consultation, treatment, tooth extraction, and oral health education.

Dr. Benson Oyoo, the Acting District Health Officer for Pader District, told our reporter that the camp is intended to bridge the gap in dental care services in the district, where many residents lack access to professional dental treatment.

Oyoo said the upcoming outreach is not the first of its kind in the district, noting that similar dental camps have previously been conducted in Pajule and Atanga, where many community members benefited from the services.

Oyoo noted that oral health is often neglected despite playing a critical role in the overall well-being of individuals. He encouraged residents of Pader Town Council and surrounding areas, especially Lira Palwo, Lamiyo, Paiula, and Pajule sub-counties, to take advantage of the free services during the camp.

Community members are expected to turn up in large numbers as many people in rural areas struggle to access specialized dental care services.

Julius Peter Ocen, a two-time Member of Parliament candidate for Aruu North Constituency and one of the organizers, told our reporter this morning that the camp was shifted to Pader Health Centre III to allow residents from the neighbouring Agago District to also benefit from the free dental services.

He also revealed that the same service providers, operating under the organization HOPE SMILES, have began similar dental outreach in Amuru District targeting communities in the West Acholi region.

Ocen, who has been involved in organizing the outreach since its inception, said the camp has now been organized four times over the past two years, with both Pajule Health Centre IV and Atanga Health Centre III benefiting from previous camps.

Ocen further explained that in previous camps many people travelled long distances to access the services, which influenced the decision to shift the outreach to another location so that more communities can benefit.

He therefore called upon all people, both adults and children with dental problems, to report to the health facility during the camp period, noting that the services are already fully sponsored.

 HOPE SMILES is a non-governmental organization based in the United States with operations in Jinja City, Uganda, providing quality dental services to vulnerable communities at no cost.