The dental practice consists of one large room, with many windows providing a good source of daylight. It has functioning air-conditioning and electricity connections. There are five dental stations. Each station contains two dental chairs, a table for sterile dental equipment and medications, a portable suction machine and a trolley. Additional lighting is provided by head torches worn by the dentist and hygienist. An adjoining room is equipped with a sink and running water for use in the sterilization process.
Typically the dental clinic is staffed with four dentists, one hygienist and four dental nurses from the Africa Mercy. They are accompanied by local day-volunteers who perform various duties such as pre-screening patients, sterilizing equipment, translating, and escorting patients through the process. The dental team at each station consists of a dentist, dental nurse and several local dental assistants, who are day-volunteers serving as translators. Each station serves two patients at a time.
On the opening day, the clinic gave free treatment to the local day-volunteers. This achieved two goals: to ensure that they received essential dental care and to provide them with an understanding of the process and the patient's experience.
As the day-volunteers arrived, they were met at the pre-screening station to identify those requiring dental treatment. Then they waited in an orderly seated queue. Any apprehensions were successfully distracted by the oral health education trainers in the waiting room. Their energetic demonstrations with over-sized props were not only entertaining but also offered clear simple advice on dental hygiene. The volunteers were invited one-by-one to the dental practice, where they were greeted by friendly, relaxed dental teams.
The dental procedures are highly professional and enviably efficient. It is an impressive operation. The majority of procedures are routine extractions of multiple decayed and broken teeth which create much pain for the patient. In fact, many of the patients have been suffering for months, if not years. The dental screening also provides an opportunity to diagnose other types of oral lesions such as benign tumors, which can be referred to the hospital ship for further investigation and treatment – often a life-saving intervention.
Dental health care services are rarely found in Sierra Leone. There are currently five dental officers serving the four regions of Sierra Leone with a total population of approximately 6.5 million. Basic dental problems such as decaying teeth and gum disorders can escalate into oral infections that threaten the lives of the sufferers. So, the provision of dental treatment is vitally important to the Freetown communities.
It is easy to underestimate the value of the patient care provided by the dental teams. But for many of the patients, this is the first time they have experienced compassion. The result is evident in the radiance of their smiles. The Mercy Ships Dental Clinic is a paving the way for cleaner brighter smiles – and happier, hope-filled lives.
Story by Claire Ross
Edited by Nancy Predaina
Photos by Tom Bradley
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