Open Wide, Please – Dental Clinic

Little Nastia sat nervously waiting her turn to be seen at the recent Heart for Orphans Dental. Like most kids there, she was terrified of dentists. Preventative dental care is a luxury few can afford, so most only go when their problems are severe. As a result, many kids like Nastia have to endure hours of dental work. This time around, the reward for all the tears, sweaty palms, and hours of sitting stoically was a gift bag with a beanie baby, new toothbrush & toothpaste, stickers… and a beautiful smile!

One hundred thirty-nine patients from four orphanages and foster families, including teens and staff from our transition homes, were treated to free dental care. The weeklong clinic, held in Kirovograd, was sponsored by Heart for Orphans in partnership with Stefan and Oksana Terletsky of YWAM Mercy Trucks Ministry. Not only did Pastor Anatoly Nechetalo graciously open his church, but ladies from the congregation fed the group lunch each day. One woman even provided haircuts to all the children! Nine dentists  from all over Ukraine, one American dentist, and volunteers from the local church sacrificed their time for needy children.

Dentist Greg Ware from Watkinsville, GA, said, “I was encouraged to see the level of commitment and faith in serving by all involved from the staff of Heart for Orphans to the Ukrainian volunteers dentists.”

A big THANK YOU to the volunteers, dentists, Mercy Trucks, and Pastor Anatoly for helping children in need!