A Whangamata dental nurse is heading to a remote Himalayan region to help children suffering from oral health problems caused by eating Westernised foods.

As a dental nurse Justine was invited to join the 2014 dental expedition led by English locum dentist Dr Trevor Barnes, who until recently worked at Ocean Dental in Whangamata.

Since agreeing to go, Justine has talked to other friends and fellow dental nurses Gill Bird, Marise Hunt and Diane Chester, who’ve agreed to join the group as well.

Dr Trevor Barnes, who led a similar dental expedition to this area in 2012, has a varied dental career which has taken him all over the world.

He’s donated his time and skills by offering voluntary dental work in other remote locations, including parts of Africa and most recently in Turkey treating Syrian refugees.

All volunteers will pay for their own travel expenses and they’re also raising funds for desperately needed dental equipment, all of which has to be flown in by light aircraft to the remote Buddhist enclave in India, close to the border of China. It’s so remote it’s inaccessible in winter.

“Just $30 will buy enough anaesthetic and dental materials to treat two children.”

“We are also hoping for money to buy other necessary items such as additional equipment, dental instruments, along with boxes of gloves and masks for all the dental operators,” says Justine.

“There are 10 volunteers in total from New Zealand, Australia and the UK, so it will be quite a nice mixed group. The team is made up of dentists, dental therapists, dental assistants and others who will run the IT and sterilising departments.

“We leave NZ in early August and head via Delhi to the remote village of Leh, in the Ladakh region of northern India, some 3500m up in the Himalayas where we’ll work for about three very busy weeks, treating upwards of 2000 local children, who all have rampant decay and have no on the ground, permanent dental services.”

Justine says at the end of the team’s time in the Himalayas, and to thank them for their work, the locals will take them on a trek for five to six days up into the Himalayan mountains, ending up at about 6000m above sea level.

“This is actually slightly higher than the Everest Base Camp in Nepal. So it will be quite a challenge, but what an amazing opportunity.

“This place is still reasonably remote to the Western world, it’s just starting to gain popularity as a far reaching tourist destination and a good quality, less populated trekking location.”

Anyone who wants to donate to Justine’s Himalayan dental expedition can do so on website: www.givealittle.co.nz/cause/himalayandentalaid

Or donate via Westpac bank under the Account name ‘Dental Aid’ with account No. 03 1577 0439063 000. Or contact Justine on 07 865 6795 or email: mrsjustineconnolly@gmail.com

Up to 2000 children will receive desperately-needed detail treatment from volunteers working in their remote Himalayan region next month.