Attention any future Kokoda Track trekkers who are capable of performing emergency dental work.
As at 21 March 2008, Kokoda resident (Sylvester Barai), who is the aging father of my personal porter, is suffering from poor dental health and is in pain. He is no longer able to chew anything hard and is therefore quite restricted in what he can eat.

This request is to any future trekker visiting Kokoda who may be able to assist in generously providing their expertise to these exceptionally poor big-hearted people. I can only hope that someone with sufficent prior warning, might be able to take adequate kit with them to provide some relief or service to Sylvester. In some cases, an ounce of planning can be worth a tonne of results.

Even if you are not a dentist, don't automatically exclude yourself from the helper list. These people all along the track, have nothing, so any help will be enormously appreciated. It could be the case that a doctor, ADF medic, nurse or even vet may be able to acquire sufficient skills in advance of their visit, to perform emergency dental work – or any medical help for that matter.

Kokoda has a hospital, but more in name than in practice. That is, no doctors, no medicines etc. So any skills & medicine that Aussies have, is widely considered premium by the PNG locals.

Can You Help?
If you are able to help, feel free to pop me an email at dtowler@tpg.com.au and I'd happily tell you everything I know or even liaise with the Barai family (in Kokoda) for you to get any info you need in advance of a visit.

On a practical note – if the work were to take a day or two (just say – I wouldn't know) then the Barai family would provide you with food and accomodation in their family block of land, which houses their group of huts. This is very near Rustie's block. You would be assured of VIP treatment.

I suppose it would be wise to fly from POM to Kokoda a day or two early – before your trek starts south-bound. Whilst I haven't approached Gail regarding this, I suspect she would be happy to arrange this early flight if it could fit in with existing KTL schedules. The flight cost is included in the KTL package – so we'd just be requesting bringing the flight forward a day or two with another KTL trekking group. All subject to Gail's Ok.

Thanks in advance
Dan
dtowler@tpg.com.au