Dental outreach transforms lives in Northern Lau

For villagers across Northern Lau, the return of wide smiles and laughter is not just about teeth, it’s about confidence, dignity, and living without pain. 

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ Dental Outreach Team has brought life-changing care to these remote islands, transforming the lives of many who have long struggled with missing or damaged teeth.

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services’ Dental Outreach Team attending to a student.

Photo: Ministry of Health and Medical Services

The Dental Prosthetic Outreach, led by Divisional Dental Officer Eastern, Dr. Marika Lewanavanua, was carried out in two phases.

Phase One, completed in July, focused on stabilising patients across Cicia, Mago, Cikobia, Tuvuca, and Lomaloma. During this stage, the team performed extractions, fillings, and thorough cleanings to ensure patients were ready for dentures.

“Phase One ensures everyone is dentally fit before we start constructing their prosthetics,” Dr Lewanavanua explained.

Phase Two took place over three weeks at Lomaloma Hospital on Vanuabalavu Island.

Here, patients received custom-made dentures that immediately restored their ability to chew, smile, and eat without discomfort. Reactions were priceless: wide smiles, joyful tears, and laughter filled the room as patients looked in the mirrors for the first time in years.

The outreach team also visited schools and villages, teaching children and parents vital lessons about brushing, healthy eating, and maintaining good oral hygiene, knowledge that will last a lifetime.

Assistant Minister for Health and Medical Services, Penioni Ravunawa, praised the dental teams.

“Our outreach reflects the Ministry’s strong commitment to bringing essential services to every Fijian, no matter how remote,” he said.

“These teams are not just restoring teeth; they are restoring confidence and dignity.”

The Ministry of Health and Medical Services Dental Outreach Team attending to a patient.

Photo: Ministry of Health and Medical Services