Henry Schein Halas Restocks YWAM Medical Ship For Record Dental Services

Henry Schein Halas as again facilitated the re-stock of the YWAM Medical Ship servicing remote areas of Papua New Guinea with emergency dental work.
  This week, the ship returned from its first outreach of the 2011 season, where in just 7 days 257 people were treated with 750 extractions and 104 restorations in the ship’s onboard clinic.
 Dental Assistant, Michelle O’Connell, was a first time volunteer from Melbourne. “The little kids were so brave,” she said as she recounted the many children with severe decay.
 One eight year old girl required a vast number of extractions. “She just sat there as we pulled out so many teeth,” she said. “She didn’t even cry.”
 Dr. Daryl Holmes, of 1300 SMILES said that the level of oral health care in this region is very low. The infections in peoples’ mouths contribute to a wide array of other health concerns. Its critically important to get the infection out so that they can live healthier lives.
Over 1000 people in the region were also given preventative health resources such as toothbrushes and toothpaste, and educated in basic oral care. The hope is to help bring long-term change in the area while also addressing the emergency needs.
 
The three dentists and dental assistants on board each said they were so grateful for the quality equipment and consumables on board, which was provided by HSH. With an average of 250 extractions each over the week, the condition of the clinic, as resourced by HSH, certainly made this high volume of work possible.