DENTAL nurse Bridie Snelling is returning to Africa for a third – and final – time to help patients with little or no access to treatment.

The 62-year-old grandmother, who works at a Newton Abbot dental surgery, will be sterilising dental equipment over a gas burner in 40-degree heat for two weeks in October.

She said: ‘It all gets quite warm. There’s very little water so dental instruments are quickly rinsed and then sterilised in pressure cookers over gas burners.

‘The dental need in Zimbabwe is huge. Years of political upheaval have really taken their toll on health services in the country and a lack of transport, poor roads and regular flash flooding mean it’s impossible for many people to access dental care.

‘In some remote areas there are no clinics at all and people have to live with long-term dental pain.’

Bridie will be with a six-strong team set up by the Dentaid charity. She’ll be based in Chinhoyi and travel out to treat patients in orphanages, schools, prisons and HIV clinics.

She did a similar trip to Tanzania in 2013 and Malawi in 2015.

She said: ‘When we set up clinics people walk eight to nine hours to reach us, which shows how little access there is to dental treatment. It’s really rewarding work, and feels like we’re making a difference to people’s health and lives.

‘I’d always wanted to do this type of work and, four years ago, decided the time was right to apply. I’ve been a dental nurse for more than four decades and it’s such a fantastic experience to take my skills to Africa on these trips. They’re way out of my usual comfort zone, and living accommodation is very basic. I always approach them with a mix of excitement and apprehension.’

Bridie is fundraising £2,200 for the trip, including dental equipment which will be left behind to continue to benefit the local communities.

She’s planning a sponsored walk, raffles and talks to community groups to help raise the funds.

‘I’m very fortunate my family, friends, and everyone where I work at Abbotsbury Dental Care are very interested and supportive,’ she added.

To donate see https://mydonate.bt .com/fundraisers/bridiesnelling.