A bright and healthy smile was the topic of the day at Samoa Primary School yesterday morning.

The school hosted a visit by Dr. George Spencer and his team who showed their heart for Samoa, highlighting the importance of dental hygiene.

The Latter Day Saints (L.D.S.) team has made it their mission to go to as many schools as possible to teach dental hygiene and to also donate dental supplies.

The children were treated to a few cartoons and an ‘easy to understand’ lesson which had a clear-cut message.

“We are here on a humanitarian mission with the L.D.S. charities to be able to provide dental health education for all of the children in Samoa,” Dr. Spencer told the Samoa Observer.

“Right now we are developing a plan for a presentation that will be made available to all the schools in Samoa under the direction of the Ministry of Health; we hope to have this available soon.

“We love the Samoan children and we are doing all that we can to help increase the dental education and to also operate a free Pesega dental clinic in Apia for everybody who wishes to come.

“That will be a first come first serve basis where we will help them, treat them and do whatever we can to help them, that is our purpose.”

But what drives these good Samaritans to do what they do?

“We are sorry to see many children, who have pain and then lose their teeth,” Dr. Spencer said.

“We are hopeful that we can help them keep their teeth, keep their smiles, stay away from pain and to stay healthy.

“My fellow volunteer Dr. Davis and I practiced dentistry for about 40 years and we loved helping people stay healthy.

“We feel that we are all God’s children and we want to help them all; we are here on his errand to help people wherever they may be.

“We are so impressed by the volunteers who have come to our clinic. We do not get any pay but many of them come for the joy of helping their fellow Samoans and we feel happy to share our gifts and talents with them. It’s the joy of helping others that helps us.”