Togo Smiles!

Imagine living in a country with only 1 dentist for every million people!  Imagine finding relief from pain for the first time in your life!

Thanks to the Mercy Ships Dental Team, thousands of residents of the West African nation of Togo will smile again in the coming months. 

Mercy Ships conducts free mobile dental clinics onshore in the communities around where the ship is docked. The Africa Mercy arrived in Lome, Togo on January 5, and the Dental Team has wasted no time in reaching out to those in need of their services.

 

During this January-June field service in Togo, Mercy Ships plans to serve approximately 4,000 patients.  This translates to approximately 11,000 necessary dental procedures

because of tooth decay, infections and oral lesions.  Dental hygiene services will be provided to around 450 people, and up to 340 patients requiring replacements will receive dentures.

Already the Dental Team has conducted 1,716 procedures and basic oral health education has been provided to 225 students and another 752 patients visiting the dental clinic.  Equally important, 8 residents of Togo  have participated in the Mercy Ships mentorship program to learn about the various aspects of assisting, sterilizing and teaching oral hygiene.

The Mercy Ships Dental Program tangibly demonstrates God's love for people by increasing access to dental care among the underserved poor of this and other nations. Please remember the dental team in your prayers!