In developing nations, dental care is often inaccessible or unaffordable. Toothbrushes and toothpaste are luxury items, not necessities. Many people in developing countries have never had the privilege of being treated by a dentist and certain economic conditions make access to dental care impossible for most of the population.

Mercy Ships operates dental clinics to provide care for those in need. Due to poor or nonexistent dental hygiene, extractions are common procedures. Additionally, we perform fillings, root canal treatments, partial dentures, and management of intraoral and extraoral odontogenic infections. After receiving treatment, patients often express their relief and gratitude by embracing the dentists.

The lack of oral hygiene and absence of dental treatment can also lead to much more serious diseases, such as the condition known as Noma. The dental professionals at Mercy Ships works to improve oral health in developing countries through education on oral hygiene and training local professionals in the community.

We also offer medical education sponsorships to dental students throughout Africa to train in Guinea. This program teaches them oral health and safety techniques, enhancing their skillsets to help improve their local oral health systems back home.