When toothache puts a life on hold

Outreach started and we got on a small boat and went to Krangket Island to set up clinics there. People from Krangket island (Madang, Papua New Guinea) have to take a small boat if they want to go to town, to the hospital or the dental clinic, groceries, market, etc.

Ywam Madang has been working closely with the local church and doing the oral bible translation of the book of Ruth in their language: Bel. The medical teams have been visiting them periodically since February 2022.

We arrived and set up at the church and started to see patients.

One teen girl came with acute toothache. I asked her when did the pain start. She started to tell me it has been hurting on and off for months. Five days ago, it became too much to handle, it was worse at night, and she hadn't been able to sleep well since, she stopped going to school and was in a lot of pain. I asked her if she had taken anything for the pain. She said she put some herb/plant inside, but it didn't help.

I examined her and there it was, a big cavity in one of her molars.

She said, "it was good timing, that the team came today!"

Madang Province has one dental clinic at the Provincial Hospital. There is one dental therapist and 2 dental students. When I visited the clinic, they showed me around and explained the challenging reality they navigate. Their supplies come from the government. They are not able to do root canals in molars. Only well-trained dentists or specialist do them. They might run out of film or other supplies and need to wait for the next shipment to arrive. There are no private clinics in Madang.

Even at their nearby clinic, tooth extraction is the indicated treatment for tooth decay compromising the dental pulp in a molar. It is a difficult reality for us, as dentists. I am sure all of us dentists wished we could do more. The dental clinic in Madang sees many patients and do their best with the resources they have.

It is also challenging for people to get to the Dental Clinic at the Hospital, they live far away, and they need a boat to get across the ocean or a truck to go to town. They need someone to come with them, especially a young girl, and then do a line and see if you can make it in that day or make an appointment for another day and come back. Transportation and the dental services have a cost too. It can be a whole day journey or a couple of days journey.

After giving local anesthesia, I removed the molar that was making this lovely teen girl pause her daily life. Pain was not going to be a problem anymore, and she could go back to school and sleeping at night. I recommended her to go to the dental clinic for a few fillings to avoid getting pain and losing more teeth. I showed her how to brush her teeth and encouraged her to take care of the rest of her teeth. She has a beautiful smile. She nodded and thanked us for seeing her that day.

I was so happy to see this young lady that day. I told her how God knows and hears our pain, and He provides. I know God can move mountains for one person. He goes for the one. He loves personally and intimately. If our whole team went for her, it was worth it. The dental clinic saw 14 people that day.

"Since you are precious and honored in my sight, and because I love you, I will give people in exchange for you, nations in exchange for your life." Isaiah 43:4

That day was also our 13th wedding anniversary! What in immense privilege to be a part of God's blessing the nation of PNG and bringing His love and hope to Krangket island.

We had a great day doing what we love to do!