A GWENT dental student will take a trip to Ghana over Easter to help people who are unable to access basic healthcare.

Natasha Kirmani, 22, and in her fourth year at Cardiff University, is seeking help with the £1,500 she must raise for the trip.

The former Bassaleg School pupil will travel to Africa with 24 other students as part of the university’s ‘dental brigade’ to help deprived rural communities.

She said: “It is one of the experiences I’ve always wanted to have, to help less fortunate people.”

The money she needs to raise will be spent on travel and sourcing supplies of dental equipment and medication.

There are fewer than 200 dentists in the whole of the country, for about 24 million people.

The vast majority of them are based in the capital city, Accra, and can only be afforded by wealthier people.

In comparison, the United Kingdom has 75 times more dentists per capita than Ghana.

The trip is sponsored by Global Brigades, who provide support to the students once they arrive in the country.

Ms Kirmani, from Ruskin Avenue, Rogerstone, is taking part in the Cardiff Dental Brigade’s third annual trip to the country.

Over the past two years, students have treated more than 500 patients and instructed more than 800 children on brushing their teeth and eating a balanced diet.

To sponsor Ms Kirmani, visit http://www.empowered.org/cardiff-dental-brigade-April-2014

For more information on the trip, the group can be followed on Twitter @CDBGhana2014 and on their Facebook page, facebook.com/cardiffdentalbrigade