Strong community response to NZDF’s dental mission in Samoa

David Afamasaga (left) and Tomasi Alosio (centre), the captain and vice-captain, respectively, of the Samoa national rugby sevens team, visit the New Zealand Defence Force dental team led by Major Philip Worthington (second from left), which is providing dental treatment through a clinic at Poutasi village on the southeast coast of Samoa’s main island Upolu.

A 13-member dental team from the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) has been seeing a constant stream of patients since they started providing treatment in Samoa late last week.

The NZDF is conducting Exercise Tropic Twilight from 8–22 May, in collaboration with Samoa’s Ministry of Health, to provide a range of dental treatment, including restorative dentistry.

The treatment is being provided through a clinic at Poutasi village on the southeast coast of Samoa’s main island, Upolu.

Major Philip Worthington, who is leading the NZDF contingent, said the team was seeing up to 40 patients a day.

“Our emphasis is on getting as much quality dentistry work done for each of our patients as possible,” he said.

Members of the Manu Samoa rugby sevens team were among their latest patients.

“There has been a very strong community response to our outreach,” Major Worthington said.

“Together with the Samoan authorities, we are also promoting the message that good oral health starts with self-care and a healthy diet.”