BACD President Carol Somerville Roberts details her sponsored cycling trip to Tanzania.
The British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry (BACD) champions ethical cosmetic dental treatments, but it also places considerable focus on charitable support; how dental professionals can contribute to improved standards of health. This is not limited to the UK – in 2012, the BACD selected Bridge2Aid as its charity of the year, raising over £4,000 with an auction and raffle, and in 2014 the BACD led a Whitening Drive where all payments for whitening procedures were paid directly to Bridge2Aid.
I have been aware of Bridge2Aid as a charity for some years and had heard from colleagues who had undertaken expeditions such as climbing Mount Kilimanjaro. In August 2025, I read about this enormous cycling trip in a monthly newsletter from my business coach, Chris Barrow. It was the perfect opportunity; a true physical and mental challenge for my husband and I that could help make a difference for a cause we feel very strongly about. So, we signed up.
Traversing Tanzania
20 riders comprised our group, all of varying cycling abilities. We travelled to Tanzania on January 31st ready for a 5-day journey across the country. This started in Kilimanjaro and, after an arduous 350km, would culminate at the Ngorongoro Crater, a UNESCO World Heritage site sometimes called the ‘Garden of Eden’.
The trip was entirely self-funded by all participants with the aim to raise money for Bridge2Aid. The collective target was £40,000; this would fund one outreach/training programme, such as helping tackle the issue of infant oral mutilation, or training more dental hygienists in Tanzania. Bridge2Aid has been tirelessly working in East Africa to bring dental services to remote areas, collaborating with the Tanzanian government to improve the standard of oral health across the population. This is a major challenge: there are roughly 600 dentists to care for approximately 71 million people (the UK has a similar population but with 46,000+ dentists).
Supporting our group was a company called Travel and Trek. They looked after and encouraged us at every turn of the wheel. This was invaluable – whilst a keen runner, I had not been on a bike for 10 years before our 6-month rigorous training began. One day saw us cover 105km, the longest distance of the ride, and proved as exhausting as it sounds.
The epic route wound its way through extremely rural areas, pushing our suspensions to the limit along dusty gravel tracks. Even the relief of tarmac roads couldn’t detract from the 30-degree heat and what, at first, felt like the endlessness of the journey ahead. Moments of rest were welcome and we were lucky enough to stay in a Masai lodge, as well as some tented lodges along the way.
Hitting the target
Arriving at the Ngorongoro Crater came with a collective feeling of achievement, pride and exhaustion. With the challenge completed, I was fortunate enough to visit the clinic that the money raised was intended for. It had only recently opened and I was also able to meet Dr Baraka Nzobo, the Tanzanian Chief Dental Officer, who was fully supportive of the project.
We shattered our sponsorship target of £40,000 and finished having raised £77,000 for Bridge2Aid. The charity hopes to continue their work and roll out their educational programmes across Tanzania and East Africa and leave a lasting legacy of improved oral health. One way to support Bridge2Aid is to become a Unity Partner and pay a monthly amount for a year, ultimately helping around 200,000 people.
Get involved
There are many charities that need help. I recommend to explore the many options out there until you find an organisation that resonates with you. This could be supporting them financially, providing supplies, teaching and training, carrying out treatments or participating in a fundraising challenge. Find what works for you so that you are passionate about it, involve your team and your patients – they will also love it.
Later this year I will be going to Zambia with Smilestar, another charity that the BACD has supported. Working as dentists and dental care professionals means that we are in an amazing position to give something back. In doing so, we will get so much more out of life.
To find out more about Bridge2Aid visit their website at www.bridge2aid.org
For further information and enquiries about the British Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry visit www.bacd.com
