The Alliance for a Cavity-Free Future (ACFF) Global is proud to announce the formation of its new 2025 South Africa Chapter, marking a significant step towards a cavity-free future for infants and children across the country.
The launch follows the 2025 South Africa Policy Lab, convened in Cape Town by ACFF Global in January. The Lab brought together key stakeholders from government, public health, the private sector, and academia to tailor actionable strategies aimed at reducing early childhood caries in the country. By the age of six, 60% of children in South Africa will have early childhood caries (identified using the WHO basic methods assessment).
In October, thanks to support from Colgate South Africa, ACFF Global reconvened the Policy Lab to review implementation to-date, determine next steps and establish the new Chapter.
To drive the Policy Lab initiatives forward, the newly formed ACFF South Africa Chapter will be led by Dr. Maphefo Thekiso (Wits University), supported by a Chapter Panel including Dr Mzimkhulu Mcuba (Chief Dental Officer), Prof Veerasamy Yengopal (University of Western Cape), Dr Carl Potgieter (Department of Health Western Cape) and Dr Stephanus Crous (Colgate South Africa). The Chapter will focus on implementing practical actions identified in the Policy Lab report to improve oral health outcomes for South African infants and children.
Dr. Maphefo Thekiso, Public Oral Health Specialist & Researcher at Wits University and Chapter Lead for the new ACFF South Africa Chapter said: “I am delighted to be elected as Chapter Lead and remain deeply committed to advancing the actions identified through the Policy Lab. Working alongside our chapter members, we will strive to prevent oral disease in children across South Africa and create a healthier, cavity-free future.”
Dr. Stephanus Crous, Public Health and Bright Smiles Bright Futures Senior Manager at Colgate South Africa said: “We were thrilled to welcome ACFF Global back to Cape Town to facilitate follow-up work from the January Policy Lab. ACFF Global’s objectives align closely with Colgate South Africa’s mission, and we were pleased to support the event with a grant and contribute our insights.”
ACFF Global, represented by Chief Strategy & Advocacy Officer, Prof Nigel Pitts, presented a session at the International Association of Paediatric Dentistry (IAPD) annual conference while in Cape Town. Alongside Dr Maphefo Thekiso, the pair presented the aims, objectives and methodology of the Policy Lab; ICDAS related developments in measuring early childhood caries; and the creation of the new South Africa Chapter, to a busy room of health professionals.
