Samaritan’s Purse Mobile Dental Units are providing much-needed physical relief while offering the life-saving message of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
Olha’s* teeth were the least of her concerns when war erupted in her Ukrainian community on February 22, 2022. But after three years of ongoing conflict that has forced many healthcare professionals to leave her region, a visit to a Samaritan’s Purse Mobile Dental Unit (MDU) provided a glimmer of hope and a sign of God’s kindness as war continues to rage. Offering dental checkups, X-rays, tooth extraction, root canals, and cavity treatment, the MDU staff address the needs of each patient, treating them with dignity, sharing the message of the Gospel, and providing copies of the Word of God.
Surviving Attacks by Enemy Fire
Olha’s story is similar to that of many others in Ukraine. When blasts shook her village west of Kyiv at 4:30 a.m. on that fateful February day, she gathered in a basement with her sister and others and prayed.
“Tanks were passing over us, everything was rumbling. One shell hit the place where we were, so we ran to a nearby house, which was also hit,” Olha remembered. “In a panic, we ran across a field where we were attacked by open fire.”
”Both believers and non-believers prayed in that basement.”
Thankfully, they were able to find shelter in another residential building.
“Everyone, both believers and non-believers, prayed in that basement,” said Olha, who places her faith in Jesus Christ .
Finding Refuge
God answered their prayers for protection by allowing Olha to relocate to another village about an hour away that, sadly, had been nearly leveled by the shelling. Even more devastating than this loss of infrastructure, however, was the fact that war took the lives of her two sons.
“It is very painful, but the Lord gives comfort,” Olha said.
Olha welcomes her community to her home for prayer, worship, and spiritual reflection.
In in the village where they live now, God blessed Olha with a home that she, in turn, offers to her community as a gathering place for worship and spiritual reflection. “I went to destruction, but the Lord covered all the expenses to build this house of prayer where we are now.” A sister in Christ even said of the house, “Many souls will be saved here.”
Opening Doors through Dentistry
Olha’s house of prayer was one of many locations that Samaritan’s Purse set up its MDU to serve people with dental care.
“They have very good equipment, thanks to which the help was provided quickly and efficiently,” Olha said, grateful for the care she and many others received.
Receiving dental treatment is a blessing from God for Olha and many other Ukrainians living near the frontlines.
“Christ’s love has many doors,” she said. “Dentistry is one of those wide doors that open for everyone to know the love of God through the care of dentists. Their service brings the message that God loves everyone. God does not leave anyone. He is hope.”
“Their service brings the message that God loves everyone. God does not leave anyone. He is hope.”
Samaritan’s Purse-Ukraine Program Development Officer Andrew Sims explains how critical this hope is for Olha and many other Ukrainians.
“Since the start of the full-scale invasion, Russia has launched over 2,200 verified attacks on Ukrainian healthcare facilities, leaving more than 900 damaged or destroyed. This widespread targeting of essential infrastructure has forced mass displacement, with healthcare professionals such as dentists, doctors, and therapists, fleeing for their lives. For those who remain in frontline, conflict-affected regions, the lack of access to medical services and qualified practitioners has been devastating.
“For these reasons, the Mobile Dental Units that Samaritan’s Purse operates are necessary to ensure essential oral healthcare to vulnerable communities. Beyond addressing physical needs, we also offer spiritual support, sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ and gifting each patient with a copy of the New Testament in Ukrainian.”
Since the program began over a year ago, the MDUs have served over 3,000 patients in 17 villages. Please pray for their ongoing work to offer care and relief amid the suffering of war.
Please pray for Olha and other Ukrainian as they continue to cling to God amid the horrors of war.
*Nombre cambiado por seguridad
