FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE GLOBAL HEALTH
May 2026 — A child’s smile can be a small thing with a big impact. This month, that impact was felt across the Lingap Orphanage as volunteer clinicians joined forces with FLORENCE NIGHTINGALE GLOBAL HEALTH (FNGH) to deliver comprehensive dental care to children who have endured abuse, abandonment, neglect, and exploitation.
Mission update:
“For many of the children, regular check-ups have never been an option, leaving tooth pain, infection, and embarrassment to quietly shape daily life. The outreach set out to change that: not just by treating urgent needs, but by restoring comfort, confidence, and dignity.
Our May 2026 mission was supported by Dr. Ann Farash (Pediatrician) and Dr. Paul Onnink (Retired Dentist), marking the program’s third cycle of sustained care, an ongoing commitment designed to last for years, not days. Across the outreach, our team provided a full spectrum of services, meeting children where they were and responding to what they needed most.
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Dental screenings to identify cavities, gum disease, and oral hygiene challenges
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Preventive care: cleaning, fluoride application, and sealants for children at high risk
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Treatment on site/in a safe clinic setting, including fillings and extractions for children in pain, restoring comfort and function
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Oral health education through fun, age-appropriate lessons on brushing, flossing, and healthier food choices
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Dental kits for every child, including a toothbrush, toothpaste, and floss
Several children shared that it was their first time seeing a dentist, a milestone that turned anxiety into pride as pain eased and smiles widened. Our work did not end when the clinic packed up. FNGH helped establish a six-month follow-up schedule to ensure progress continues, alongside accountability measures such as accurate, detailed oral hygiene logs maintained by the orphanage.
This structure matters. Tooth pain can undermine nutrition, concentration in school, sleep, and self-esteem. And the need extends far beyond one orphanage: during school assessments in nearby communities, teams have observed children with severe decay rates as high as 95%, often among those who have never had access to dental services. I encourage you to support our missions which are critical to impoverished communities.” – Dr Ariel Carandang, Doctor of Dental Surgery in the Philippines (below).
A Community Effort, a Shared Mission
“The cost of restoring each child's mouth can be as high as yearly income for an entire family, especially those in Northern Samar. This treatment is like a dream come true for some children. We've gone so far as to buy dentures for a teenager who had her frontal decayed teeth pulled!
This mission is made possible by people who choose to serve with compassion and consistency. Through the generous support of FNGH benefactors, every child receives high-quality care, safe, supervised, and delivered with dignity. We’re especially grateful to the ROTARY CLUB OF CATARMAN (D3860) and the volunteers on the ground for their medical consultations, medicines, transportation, and steady coordination, ensuring this outreach continues to reach children reliably and safely.
As partners look ahead, the goal is clear: to make dental care a routine part of the orphanage’s health program. Every child deserves more than treatment. Every child deserves a healthy smile—and the hope that comes with it." – Dr Ann Farash MD, FAAP (pictured).
CALL TO ACTION
We need your help!
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Donate to support future missions and supplies.
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Help secure grant funding — if you have experience with foundations, corporate giving, or grant writing, we’d love your support.