Having an opportunity to serve the orphan children in the Ternopil region, we have seen a great need. Not just educating the children or clothing them, we have seen that they are in need of dental care. Good dental health is important to maintaining a healthy mouth, teeth and gums; oral health affects our general health.

So, we teamed up with Dr. Marv Nelson DDS in Edmonds Washington. He is one of the directors for Open Door Foundation. He has a passion for seeing children and adults having beautiful smiles but most of all healthy teeth. In 2010, we have launched out first dental ministry in Ternopil. What a remarkable and blessed time we had. It was a privilege to have Dr. Nelson come and serve with an open heart.

We thank God for giving both Dr. Nelson and us the desire and willing heart to start this dental ministry and just overseeing everything, even to the smallest details.

Dr. Nelson was an enormous blessing to the orphan children and people in Ukraine. We had the opportunity to visit three orphan homes in the Ternopil region. Each orphan home that we have visited we would end up reassuring children that this is beneficial for their health and teeth! Almost all the children had horrendous dental experience prior to our team. So, some would refuse to be seen. Vitaliy was a blessing to have on the team; he would explain to children the importance of having their teeth fixed and that this would be painless and that we did not come from America to hurt them. It was challenging at first, but all the kids after speaking with Vitaliy had accepted to be seen.

Over 100 children had the opportunity to have their teeth fixed. Around 200 filings, and numerous extractions and some even had oral surgeries. Also, full-time missionaries had a chance to be seen by Dr. Nelson, do to the high cost to be seen by private Dentist. There is a great need for dental technicians, hygienists, and assistants to give their time to serve the people with oral health care here in Ukraine. We want to thank everyone and give our appreciation to the ones that were involved in the dental ministry. To Dr. Nelson for taking time out of his busy schedule and serve the people, working long hours! For everyone that has supported the dental ministry financially and by prayer THANK YOU THANK YOU!!!!!

Please continue to pray for the dental ministry in Ukraine. Pray for wisdom and that we would have more volunteers that would be able to come to Ukraine, not just once a year. For financial support, so this ministry will continue to be a blessing to the orphan children, families and missionaries in Ukraine.

If you are interested in the dental ministry, if you are a general dentist, oral surgeon, dental assistant and dental hygienist and want to serve please email us and we would love to give you more information on the dental ministry. If you are not an expert there are other ways you can help, by spreading the word, prayers and financial support.