More than 30,000 children in some selected rural communities in the Ashanti Region are to benefit from free dental care, Dr Thomas Agyarko-Poku, Executive Director of the Otumfuo Charity Foundation has announced.

The communities include Buoho, Abono, Behenase, Adansi-Praso, Kwadaso and Akyeremade.

Dr Agyarko-Poku said the exercise was being spearheaded by the Charity Foundation in partnership with two other organizations – Cape Coast-based Foundation for the Development of African Culture and Heritage and Smiles for Everyone Foundation in the United States (US).

Already, pupils at the Asem Cluster of Schools in Kumasi had benefited. The wife of the Asantehene, Lady Julia Osei Tutu was present during the exercise for the pupils.

Dr Agyarko-Poku spoke of plans to set up a permanent mobile dental service at the Manhyia Palace to provide comprehensive dental care for the people.

Mr Norm Schulz of Smiles for Everyone Foundation said 15 doctors and two other health professionals from the US were in the region for the exercise.

They would train a local team and supply them with the relevant medical equipment to continue providing good oral health care for the kids long after the exercise had ended.

Lady Julia commended the team for their efforts at helping to improve the deal with dental health needs of children.