Dr. Maphefo Thekiso

Maphefo Thekiso is a South African oral health researcher whose work centers on public health dentistry, with particular attention to vulnerable child and adolescent populations. Scholarly contributions focus on the epidemiology of dental caries and the integration of oral health within broader primary healthcare systems, especially in resource-constrained settings.

Research highlights include investigations into dental caries prevalence and unmet treatment needs among children in Gauteng Province, including those attending special needs schools. This work underscores disparities in access to care and the clinical consequences of untreated decay, informing policy discussions on equitable oral health service delivery.

Recent scholarship explores the role of community health workers and non-dental personnel in school-based oral health promotion, as well as oral manifestations of HIV in children and adolescents. Based on a limited body of available publications, the profile reflects a strong commitment to preventive strategies, health systems strengthening, and improving outcomes for underserved pediatric populations.