About Dr. Bikoi

The

Founder

Dr. Esther de Chantal Bikoi: A Visionary Pioneer for Oral Health Equity

Dr. Esther de Chantal Bikoi is a renowned dentist surgeon, and humanitarian who has dedicated her life to expanding access to quality dental care and improving oral health outcomes. Through hard work, determination, and a commitment to serving others, she overcame significant obstacles to become a leader in her field. Her innovative Bikoi Model has transformed the delivery of dental services, while her philanthropic efforts have touched countless lives. In recognition of her tireless volunteer work to strengthen communities, Dr. Bikoi was awarded the prestigious lifetime achievement award by President Biden in 2022.

The Journey

Even as a young girl growing up in Cameroon, Dr. Esther de Chantal Bikoi had a strong drive to pursue dentistry – a passion that intensified upon realizing her home country lacked a single dental school. Supported by parents who prized education, she seized the chance to study at the College of Dentistry, University of Dakar, earning her Doctorate in Dental Surgery in 1988.

The Seeds of an Enduring Vision

Upon completing her postdoctoral education in Oral Surgery and Dental Public Health, Dr. Bikoi made her way back to Cameroon, only to be confronted with a grim reality. Disadvantaged communities were facing overwhelming oral health inequalities and had no access to proper dental care. This challenging situation served as the catalyst for her groundbreaking vision: to ensure that everyone, particularly the most underserved populations, could obtain high-quality oral healthcare services.

The Founding of RAPSED

Fueled by the belief that education contribute to a good health, in 1995 Dr. Bikoi founded RAPSED (Réseau d’Action pour la Promotion de la Santé, l’Éducation et le Développement), a non-profit organization in Cameroon. Through mobile dental clinics in remote villages like Bapa and Ntouleng, RAPSED tirelessly worked to screen, treat, and educate rural populations on oral hygiene’s importance.

Global Impact and Ongoing Initiatives

After extensive specialized training in the United States, Dr. Bikoi established Artistic Family Dentistry in Silver Spring, Maryland in 2017. However, her philanthropic zeal remained undaunted, inspiring her to rebrand RAPSED and officially relaunch as The Dr. Bikoi Foundation to amplify charitable outreach to underserved communities worldwide.

Today, Dr. Bikoi is a globally respected pioneer, celebrated for her excellence in dentistry and relentless crusade to make oral health a reality for all, especially society’s most vulnerable. Her “Bikoi Model” centered on alleviating dental phobia has cemented her legacy as a transformative force democratizing access to oral healthcare across continents.

From humble beginnings to impacting over thousands lives, Dr. Esther de Chantal Bikoi’s remarkable journey – steered by perseverance, passion for education and an enduring spirit of service to humanity – continues inspiring efforts to elevate global community wellbeing.