In her experience as a dental therapist, 26-year-old Esperance Niyigena has observed how difficulties in communication and language barriers can impede individuals from accessing or delivering services. She encountered a specific instance where she struggled to effectively communicate with a patient who had a hearing impairment.
During her fourth academic year in February 2022, Niyigena encountered a deaf man at UR Polyclinic during a clinical placement. Despite having a dental issue, the man faced difficulty expressing himself to Niyigena.
“I remember looking at him, trying hard to use sign language to explain his dental problem, but unfortunately, I couldn’t understand him or his condition. I empathized with his pain. I asked for assistance, but most dentists were not proficient in sign language. Fortunately, a student with basic sign language skills was able to help him access the necessary services, but it was clear that the communication was not satisfactory.”
Niyigena emphasised that providing information is crucial for a proper diagnosis. She pointed out that without the patient’s history of the condition, healthcare workers are unable to conduct a thorough examination of the deaf individual.
The scenario prompted the dental therapist to enroll in a three-month sign language course at the Rwanda National Union of the Deaf (RNUD) after graduation. Her goal was to improve her communication skills with the deaf community. She successfully completed the course and received a certificate in March.
In June this year, Niyigena started an initiative, Leave No One Behind’, that aims to provide oral health education to individuals with hearing disabilities by utilising sign language and practical demonstrations of oral hygiene practices.
Source : All Africa