Nuraan Samuels, an oral hygienist at Red Cross Children’s Hospital in Cape Town, has dedicated her career to improving the oral health of children, particularly those with special needs.
Her journey into the world of oral health was inspired by her mother and her early fascination with dentistry, which blossomed into a passionate career focused on vulnerable communities.
“Growing up, I always enjoyed going to the dentist with my mother and father. I was fascinated by the instruments they used, and from that moment on, I knew I wanted to pursue a career in oral health,” Samuels recalls.
It wasn’t until high school that her focus shifted to wanting to work with children with special needs.
“My mother was studying early childhood development at the College of Cape Town, and for one of her assignments, she had to observe at a special needs school. I remember her coming home and telling us all about the experience she had there. I was very interested in learning more about special needs children.”
This early exposure led Samuels to do a high school presentation on cerebral palsy, sparking a lifelong commitment to serve children with children with special needs. After completing her bachelor’s in oral health at the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Samuels gained extensive experience working at various hospitals in Cape Town, including Tygerberg and Groote Schuur.
Challenges in children’s oral care
In her current role as oral hygienist at the Red Cross Children’s Hospital, Samuels faces significant challenges, particularly when it comes to educating parents and caregivers on maintaining their child’s oral hygiene.
“One of the biggest challenges I face is when I provide parents and caregivers with advice on how to take care of their child’s teeth at home, but I see that it’s not being implemented at the next visit,” she explains.
Samuels says she understands many parents prioritise their child’s medical conditions over dental care, which often leads to recurring dental issues. To combat this, she stresses the importance of maintaining a regular oral hygiene routine, emphasising how a child’s medical condition can impact their overall oral health.
Despite these challenges, Samuels finds her work incredibly rewarding.
“I always remember why I’m doing this job, not just to help children, but also to help the parents and caregivers manage their child’s oral health at home.”
Her dedication is evident in her approach to treating children with special needs, where shetailors her techniques to each child’s unique requirements.
“I always take into account communication difficulties, sensory sensitivities, and physical disabilities before treating any child. It’s important to make the dental environment as welcoming and stress-free as possible.”
Community outreach
Samuel’s passion for her work extends beyond the clinical setting. She is actively involved in community outreach, particularly during Oral Health Month, where she and her colleagues plan and conduct an oral health promotion programme.
“We’ll be providing parents and patients with oral hygiene education and handing out toothbrushes and toothpaste. I’m excited and looking forward to doing that,” she shares.
Looking ahead, Samuels aspired to further her education and eventually pursue a career in dentistry. “My goals for oral health are consistent growth. One day, I hope to study dentistry and continue my work in this field,” she says.
Her message to aspiring oral health professionals and her colleagues in the healthcare sector is one of perseverance and compassion.
“The journey is challenging, with long nights of study and hard work, but the end result in incredibly rewarding. In healthcare, especially in the public health sector, you need to have the utmost patience and understanding. It’s not an easy job, but it’s one that humbles you and allow you to make a real difference in people’s lives,” she concludes.
Listen to the full interview on the Health For Mzansi podcast:
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