The aim of National Smile Month is ultimately to improve oral health through education and awareness raising. This corresponds closely with the work of Mercy Ships, an international charity which uses a hospital ship, currently docked in Madagascar, to deliver free health care and education to the world’s forgotten poor.
The Mercy Ships dental team know that a smile goes a long way, however, dental services are almost non-existent in many of the countries the charity visits. A major part of Mercy Ships work therefore focuses on oral health, treating around 55 patients a day, in addition to working to improve oral health in every country it visits through dental hygiene education and the training of local personnel.
Judy Polkinhorn, Executive Director of Mercy Ships UK, said: “We are really excited about partnering with the British Dental Health Foundation who have such a good understanding and appreciation of the work that Mercy Ships’ dental team carries out.
“National Smile Month will help to raise awareness for dental health in the UK where we are fortunate enough to have the National Health Service and a world renowned level of health care. By helping to promote National Smile Month in the UK we hope to also raise awareness of the health care situation of others around the world who have limited access to even the most basic dental treatment.”
Nigel Carter OBE, Chief Executive of the British Dental Health Foundation, added: “We are delighted a have Mercy Ships join us as National Smile Month Charity Partner. Their dedication and desire to improve the health and quality of life of some of the world’s poorest people is a vision we share and we look forward to working alongside them during National Smile Month.
“National Smile Month has coincided with some of the major oral health improvements in the UK and it’s largely down to building partnerships, such as the one we have with Mercy Ships, which enables us to deliver positive messages to even more people about the importance of good dental health.”
With the help and enthusiasm of those who are passionate about health and well-being, National Smile Month 2015 will see hundreds of events and activities take place up and down the UK to educate and engage local communities about the importance of a healthy mouth.
Mercy Ships is an international charity which operates the world’s largest civilian hospital ship, the Africa Mercy, providing free healthcare services to those living in developing countries, namely in Africa, where the services of professional medical staff are most needed. The ship is currently docked in Madagascar, which is one of the world’s poorest countries with over 90 per cent living on less than 75p a day.