Mengo Hospital’s dental clinic was founded in 1980 by the dedicated Dr. Ken Chapman. This March 2025 marks a remarkable milestone as the clinic celebrates its 45th anniversary. This special occasion also honors Dr. Chapman’s extraordinary 45 years of devoted service to the people of Uganda.

The clinic’s early days were shaped by generosity and mentorship. It began with donated second-hand dental equipment from Dr. Vaughn V. Chapman, who was also Dr. Ken Chapman’s mentor. When the clinic first opened, it had only one dental chair, one dentist, and one chairside assistant. Inspired by the wisdom not to despise small beginnings, the clinic embraced its modest start with determination and hope.

Growth followed steadily. By 1987, the clinic expanded to include three public health dental officers working alongside Dr. Chapman. At that time, there were five operational dental chairs. That same year, the clinic welcomed its first group of dental interns from Makerere University, starting a tradition of training and mentorship that continues to this day.

Though the clinic grew, the donated equipment began to deteriorate by the late 1990s. Nevertheless, with the help of generous supporters, new equipment was acquired, leading to the commissioning of the current clinic facility in 2005.

Today, the clinic continues to serve as a vital training site by welcoming dental interns, hosting students for elective placements, and partnering with Uganda Christian University to train future dental professionals. Each day, the clinic cares for a diverse and growing patient population, seeing approximately 80 to 90 patients daily. To meet this increasing demand, the clinic has extended its hours and now operates on Sundays and public holidays to provide greater access to care.

Looking to the future, Mengo Hospital is planning a larger facility to better serve the community’s needs. This new center will be named the Dr. Ken Chapman Dental Centre in honor of the visionary whose dedication and passion have shaped dental care at Mengo Hospital for over four decades.

The new clinic will be a significant upgrade designed to better serve the growing needs of our community. One of the most notable improvements is the increase in dental chairs, which will rise from the current ten to approximately twenty-five. This expansion will allow us to attend to more patients efficiently.

The facility will be thoughtfully designed to include three distinct wings: a general wing, a private wing, and a VIP wing. This structure ensures that patients can choose the care setting that best suits their needs. In addition to general dental services, the clinic will host specialist clinics, providing advanced care in various dental fields.

A minor theatre will be available within the clinic, allowing for minor surgical procedures to be conducted on-site with the highest standards of safety and comfort. The new clinic will also feature a dedicated dental laboratory, enabling precise and timely fabrication of dental appliances and prosthetics.

Training remains at the heart of our mission. A specialized training wing, developed in collaboration with Uganda Christian University and other educational institutions, will enable us to initiate postgraduate training programs. We plan to begin with paediatrics, focusing on the dental health of children, which is an urgent area of concern.

Recent studies show alarming statistics among HIV-positive children in Uganda, where 65 percent have dental caries but only one percent have received fillings. Coupled with Uganda’s population growth rate of three percent annually, these figures underscore the critical need for improved paediatric dental care.

Our new clinic aims to provide solutions to these pressing oral health challenges and improve care for all patients. Project implementation is planned to take place between 2025 and 2030.

The estimated cost for this ambitious project is 12 billion Ugandan shillings. 6 billion will be allocated to constructing the structure, while the remaining 6 billion will cover cabinetry and equipment, ensuring a modern and fully equipped facility for years to come.

Specialization in Pediatric Dentistry: The program will prioritize pediatric dentistry to address the unique needs of Uganda’s young population, helping to reduce early childhood dental issues and improve long-term health outcomes (National Institute of Health, 2022).

Postgraduate Certificate Programs: The dental training hospital will offer certificate programs in advanced education in general dentistry, as well as fellowship programs in Orthodontics, Endodontics, Periodontics, and Oral Surgery.

The programs will feature residency opportunities within the different specialties, allowing students hands-on clinical experience in Mengo Hospital’s dental clinics under supervision, thus bridging theoretical and practical learning.

The proposed dental training and clinical complex will be shaped by significant investment in essential infrastructure and modern technology. This investment will ensure that both patients and students benefit from an environment that supports excellent care and top-quality education.

The complex will feature purpose-built specialty clinics and classrooms designed to deliver high-quality dental treatment and provide a rich training and learning experience. These spaces will be equipped with modern technology to match global standards in dental care and education.

A comprehensive library and dedicated research facilities will give students and staff access to digital journals and research databases. These resources will foster ongoing learning and encourage innovation, keeping the clinic and training programs at the forefront of dental advancements.

Partnerships will play a vital role in bringing this vision to life. Collaboration with Uganda Christian University and other international institutions will provide valuable academic support and create opportunities for knowledge exchange. These partnerships will strengthen the mission to train highly skilled dental professionals ready to meet Uganda’s growing oral health needs.