The tenth to fourteenth of October, 2022 marked the inaugural outreach with the YWAM MS School Dental program. It was a pilot outreach to test the operation of the YWAM MS Dental Trailer to prepare the way to facilitate regular outreaches at schools in Port Moresby in the future.

Dental treatment focused on primary dentistry, extractions, restorations (fillings), and fluoride treatment, prioritising children who reported to have pain. It should be noted that preventative treatment, such as fissure seals and fluoride treatment, was performed less than anticipated due to the high need for extractions and restorations.

There were a number of parents who came and accompanied their children whilst they were receiving dental care. One mother in particular was very grateful that we were able to extract a tooth that had been causing intense pain for her child for over six months. The mother told us that they had tried waiting in line at the public dental clinic at 3 Mile, but after waiting a full day had given up. She said that the school dental program was an answer to her prayer.

YWAM MS is planning to run further YWAM MS School Dental outreaches in the second and fourth quarters of 2023. Specific dates are to be finalised soon.