Television personality and executive producer Tebogo Ramokgadi has returned to Dubai for an R18,000 refresh of the “Hollywood smile” he originally paid about R100,000 to achieve, ahead of the second season of his reality series Diamond and Dolls.
The dental appointment comes during South Africa’s National Oral Health Month, while Tebogo continues expanding his television and business interests at home and internationally. His next stop after Dubai is Bangkok, extending an already busy overseas travel schedule.
For Tebogo, preserving his smile is a professional choice rather than a response to insecurity. With filming for the second season under way, he says his work requires constant interaction and makes dental care particularly important. Maintaining his teeth, he explains, gives him confidence and helps him feel comfortable when he smiles.
He also believes the original R100,000 cost was justified, while stressing that cosmetic dentistry cannot replace everyday oral hygiene. A smile is something people carry with them everywhere, but brushing, flossing, routine dental visits and proper gum care remain essential regardless of how much is spent on appearance.
Tebogo further clarified that his treatment should not automatically be described as veneers. Veneers are thin shells fitted to the fronts of teeth to alter their look, whereas a “Hollywood smile” is a broader cosmetic result involving factors such as tooth shape, colour, alignment and overall presentation. In his case, he says, the teeth are entirely his own.
His advice during Oral Health Month is to deal with potential problems before they become painful. He encourages people to brush correctly, floss, attend regular check-ups and monitor their gums, noting that teeth deserve the same level of attention many people give their clothing, skin, hair and general appearance.
Season two of Diamond and Dolls is also expected to be bigger in scale. Tebogo says both he and the production have developed since the first run, with viewers set to meet new “dolls”, encounter different personalities and experiences, and see a lifestyle reflecting his current stage of life.
Observed in September, National Oral Health Month is organised by the South African Dental Association with support from the National Department of Health. Figures from the association and government indicate that gum disease is the country’s second-most widespread condition after the common cold, affecting an estimated 90% of South Africans at some point. If left untreated, it has been associated with heart disease, diabetes and adverse pregnancy outcomes.
Related conversations include Ratile Mabitsela speaking openly about having experienced depression from both perspectives on World Suicide Prevention Day, as well as Didintle Khonou discussing mental health, Sis Dolly’s legacy and the personal cost of caring for others.
