More than 200 people living in remote communities of Vanuatu have received free dental treatments through an outreach facilitated by the Seventh-day Adventist Church.
The volunteer team, including three dentists from Australia, ran eight full-day clinics in two weeks across five islands in three different provinces, treating 276 patients from 40 different villages and communities. Their work included more than 400 extractions and other treatments.
The team travelled on banana boats and faced big waves, they flew on small five-seater planes, walked through plantations and drove through rugged terrain to reach the remote communities. As well as carrying out the treatments, they distributed Christian literature, reading glasses and sunglasses. The team also distributed undergarments for women donated by church members in Australia.
The initiative was coordinated by the health ministry team at Vanuatu Mission with substantial support from the Rosendahl family in Australia. The 10,000 Toes Campaign also assisted the team with a mobile clinic and health talks to educate communities on how to look after themselves to prevent disease.
