At Market Place Dental we like to support various charity activities. Mercy Ships is a charity that we have nominated to benefit from the money raised through the Colgate® Terracycle® recycling program.
When we send your recyclables to Terracycle®, our nominated charity receives a donation.
Mercy Ships is a faith-based international development organisation that deploys hospital ships to some of the poorest countries in the world, delivering vital, free healthcare (including dental care) to people in desperate need.
Worldwide, 5 billion people lack access to safe, affordable, timely surgery. Many of them live in developing countries where healthcare infrastructure is limited or non-existent, or where there’s a shortage of trained healthcare providers. Fortunately, more than 44% of the world’s population lives within 100 miles of a coast — which is why Mercy Ships uses modern hospital ships to bring world-class volunteer medical professionals directly to the places they’re needed most.
Good dental hygiene is more than just a beautiful smile. It’s prevention of gum disease, cavities, and other problems. In developing nations, dental care is often non-existent or unaffordable. Toothbrushes and toothpaste are luxury items, not necessities.
Mercy Ships conducts free dental clinics to address untreated tooth decay and problems caused by lack of oral hygiene…and, of course, to provide free toothbrushes.
Many people in Africa have never seen a dentist. What a joy to take the specialized skills of volunteer dentists and hygienists directly to them via the hospital ships — and then reap the rewards of seeing each new smile. During a typical 10-month stay in port, Mercy Ships do more than just pull teeth, fill cavities, and fit patients for dentures. With an eye on the future, they work in the community to teach basic oral health education to elementary and secondary students.
This is an inspiring video of Francois, a dental student at Gamal Dental clinic in Guinea. Mercy Ships has partnered with Gamal Dental clinic in Conakry, equipping their dental school as well as helping with clinical training, and mentoring.
Information source, and further information can be found at: https://www.mercyships.org.uk/
