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Mercy Ships Volunteer Dentists Give More than a Smile on “Give Kids a Smile Day”

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Posted: February 3, 2012
Mercy Ships Volunteer Dentists Give More than a Smile on “Give Kids a Smile Day”

Garden Valley, Texas, February 3, 2012 -- Today is “Give Kids a Smile Day.” While many dentists in the U.S. will contribute time to provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country, Mercy Ships volunteer dental professionals are also doing the same and more in Lomé, Togo, alongside the Africa Mercy, the world’s largest privately owned hospital ship. In essence, the dental team celebrates “Bring Kids a Smile Day” everyday.

Dr. Doug Daehlin, from Spokane, Washington, is one of more than 400 Mercy Ships crew members, including dental team and oral/maxillofacial team members, who are currently volunteering their expertise in Togo. “While there are lots of opportunities to be a volunteer dentist around the world, I was immediately drawn to Mercy Ships. During my volunteer service, I will work side-by-side with dental colleagues from other parts of the U.S. and around the world. Our collaboration and exchange is an invaluable experience,” stated Dr. Daehlin.

Mercy Ships medical professionals hold free dental consultations not far from the ship, which recently docked in the West African port for its fifth visit since 1990. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), the entire country of Togo has only 19 dentists- less than one dentist for every 10,000 people - compared to 16 dentists per 10,000 people in the United States.

Appointment cards are given out to those who can be assisted medically during the 2012 Togo Field Service. Managing Director of the Africa Mercy, Donovan Palmer, emphasized that Mercy Ships offers its services for free, and those selected for medical care do not pay for any assistance.

“I am pleased that for the fifth time Mercy Ships is coming to Togo and helping with their humanitarian mission. This helps the Ministry of Health and the government to help the Togolese, especially those who do not have means,” stated His Excellency, Mr Charles Kondi Agba, Minister of Health.

Oral health is an integral part of general health. Oral disease directly affects quality of life by seriously hindering an individual's well-being and ability to effectively participate in society. Also, nutritional intake is negatively impacted by incapacity to chew. Sadly, few people in sub-Saharan Africa receive adequate dental care.

Decaying teeth are extracted to relieve pain – often by minimally trained personnel, without tools or expertise to perform restorative functions. Decay is typically left untreated until it becomes so extensive and so painful that extraction is the only option. As a result, patients are often in danger of serious infection, further stressing an already weak immune system.

During the six-month port visit, volunteer professional medical crew onboard the Africa Mercy hope to provide more than 1,250 free surgeries and 11,000 dental procedures. Additionally, ship’s volunteers will offer basic oral health education to 400 elementary and secondary students and to 4,000 individuals in the dental clinics’ waiting areas. In addition, several local Togolese will be mentored in various aspects of assisting, sterilizing, and teaching oral hygiene.

The spirit of Give Kids a Smile Day is to remember those children who cannot afford yearly dental checkups. Mercy Ships believes kids deserve a smile everyday. The dental care provided by Mercy Ships meets a critical need in the developing countries of West Africa – and gives many children a bright and beautiful smile!



ABOUT MERCY SHIPS: Mercy Ships uses hospital ships to deliver free, world-class health care services, capacity building and sustainable development to those without access in the developing world. Founded in 1978 by Don and Deyon Stephens, Mercy Ships has worked in more than 70 countries providing services valued at more than $834 million, impacting more than 2.9 million direct beneficiaries. Each year Mercy Ships has more than 1,200 volunteers from over 40 nations. Professionals including surgeons, dentists, nurses, health care trainers, teachers, cooks, seamen, engineers, and agriculturalists donate their time and skills to the effort. Mercy Ships seeks to become the face of love in action, bringing hope and healing to the poor. For more information click on www.mercyships.org  

About Give Kids A Smile®
Each year on the first Friday in February, thousands of America’s dentists and their dental team members provide free oral health care services to children from low-income families across the country. The ADA's Give Kids A Smile® program enhances the oral health of large numbers of needy children. Give Kids A Smile (GKAS) activities also highlight for policy makers the ongoing challenges that disadvantaged families face in finding dental care. http://www.ada.org/givekidsasmile.aspx  

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