Smiles For The Pacific (SFTP), Fiji

Jonathon Cole with National Oral Health adviser Dr Joan Lal.

SFTP was formed in late 2012 by Dr Jonathan Cole and Dr Mahendra Moopna of New Zealand with the aim of training, upskilling and mentoring Fijian health professionals to meet complex dental needs in underserviced Western Fiji.  The program operates with the support and collaboration of the Fijian Ministry of Health.  Lautoka Dental Hospital serves as the treatment and training base for the program.   The program depends on volunteer dental professionals from New Zealand and Australia who are willing to share their knowledge and skills by treating cases beyond the skill of local dental practitioners during training sessions.  Volunteers may also conduct free lectures and workshops for the benefit of local dental professionals.  All treatment provided is free of charge to patients. The ICD grant will be used to purchase basic equipment such as bone plating, bone screws and surgical handpieces for the newly appointed oral surgeon at the Lautoka Hospital.  Funding is being sought through the ICD Global Visionary Fund (GVF).
Contact: Jonathan Cole, jcole@xtra.co.nz

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