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It started with a toothache

At nine, Ibrahim developed a toothache. Without access to the dental care he needed, the infection spread into his jaw, leaving him in pain for years. At 13, a five-hour journey finally brought treatment within reach.

Country Freetown, Sierra Leone
Age 13
Treatment Dental care

Video

Video

Meet Ibrahim

Ibrahim lives in rural eastern Sierra Leone, around 300 kilometres from Freetown.

As the swelling in his face grew, his father, Mohamed, searched for help. Local hospitals lacked the specialist dental care Ibrahim needed, while medication could only temporarily ease his pain.

We were very concerned after the swelling got bigger.
Mohamed, Ibrahim’s father
  • Even after years of discomfort, Ibrahim's humour and courage remained, despite the growing swelling in his face.

Even after years of discomfort, Ibrahim's humour and courage remained, despite the growing swelling in his face.

Four years of pain finally had an answer

Aboard the Global Mercy™, Ibrahim was diagnosed with osteomyelitis, a serious infection that had spread from his tooth into his jawbone.

The dental team treated the infection and damaged areas of his jaw, finally addressing a problem that had begun with a toothache four years earlier.

  • The team discovered that the infection had spread into more than half of Ibrahim's jawbone.

The team discovered that the infection had spread into more than half of Ibrahim's jawbone.

Help stop a small problem becoming something bigger

For Ibrahim, a toothache became years of pain because the dental care he needed wasn't within reach.

Your gift can help bring essential dental and surgical care closer to people who need it, before treatable conditions have the chance to become life-changing problems.

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