Armed with state-of-the-art dental equipment and a team of skilled professionals, a selfless initiative in the Bay of Plenty is offering a ray of hope to those who have struggled to access affordable dental care.

With a mission to bridge the gap in oral healthcare services, this remarkable endeavour by YWAM Ships Aotearoa – YSA - a Tauranga-based charity, is proving that no obstacle is insurmountable when it comes to delivering essential dental care to those who need it the most.

In a heart-warming display of compassion and dedication to oral health a mobile dental service has been descending upon the community from Tauranga to Te Kaha, bringing smiles and relief to hundreds of people in need.

This year, the Trinity Koha Dental Clinic team has already served 595 patients, through nine clinics and 407 hours of voluntary dentistry.

'It has been two years since we launched TKDC in Tauranga,” says YWAM Ships Aotearoa manager director Marty Emmett.

A Trinity Koha Dental Clinic set up in the Bay of Plenty. Photo: Supplied.

TKDC has now delivered services to 2477 people.

Marty says most of the patients were unable to access these services on their own.

'We are thankful for all the dentists who have generously given their time and expertise to serve our community.

'We are grateful for the incredible partners who have linked arms with us to remove the barriers to urgent oral health services.”

A TKDC team member talks about oral health. Photo: Supplied.

Marty says each clinic informs him that the needs far surpass their services.

'Our sense of obligation to continue to deliver these services only grows. The oral health needs of our community are our responsibility.

'Together, with all of our partners, we are empowering health.”

He says he constantly marvels at the story of Trinity Koha Dental.

'This aspirational service was born out of a Covid-enforced pivot due to borders being closed.”

The dental clinic was due to be part of the YWAM KOHA medical mission ship's outreach to Fiji but due to Covid, the mission was delayed.

While YSA's central purpose is to empower a healthy future in the Pacific through the use of the YWAM Koha to provide medical and dental services, with the borders closed and aware of clear health inequities right here in New Zealand, the charity pivoted in 2021 to use its resources to help those with little access to oral health services at affordable prices in the Bay of Plenty.

The TKDC work is one of three aspirational goals Marty and his team have set for 2023.

The other two goals are ‘Go again Better to Fiji' with the ship's team having just completed the first 2023 outreach to Fiji; and developing more partnerships with like-minded entities.

'Last year, 1060 patients received free dental services [with TKDC]. This year we want to help more people.

'We also want to expand and strengthen our partnerships to ensure that we deliver health services for the whole person.”

The Trinity Koha Dental Clinic service at Te Kaha. Photo: Supplied.

Marty says they are deeply grateful to their financial partners who undergird the outcomes of YWAM Ships Aotearoa.

'Thank you Trinity Lands, our platinum partner, for your ongoing support. Thank you to our other partners like Sequal, BayGold, Family Doctors Tauranga, Swire Shipping, TECT, BayTrust, and so many others.

'We are also grateful for the hundreds of individuals and families who generously partner with YWAM Ships Aotearoa. Together we are empowering health for hundreds if not thousands of people this year.”

Marty says they also want to expand the reach of TKDC by helping catalyse clinics outside the Bay of Plenty region.

'Now the clinic has become a significant part of who YWAM Ships Aotearoa is and will continue to be.”

'To honour this journey and tell the story, we put together a short video. We would be honoured if you took the time to watch it.”

Click on the video below.

If you want to be a part of the KOHA support team, click here