The world's largest private hospital ship Mercy Ships M/V Anastasis has recently set off for Sierra Leone after docking in Sunderland in the UK to pick up volunteers and supplies for its next voyage.

Dental co-ordinator Dominique Vonnez (left) from Switzerland at one of the clinics that treats local people.

The Anastasis is one of three vessels belonging to Mercy Ships, an international charity founded on a Christian ethos, now in its 25th year, which takes medical aid and development assistance to poor and developing nations.

The fleet consists of the M/V Caribbean Mercy, the M/V Africa Mercy and the flagship, M/V Anastasis. With a dental team on board all the time, the Anastasis is staffed with an all-volunteer crew of 350 including doctors, nurses, surgeons as well as back up teams of ancillary staff - some who have spent years on board the vessel.

On its most recent trip, also to Sierra Leone, the ship's dental team set up dental clinics in villages and treated 1403 patients in 3447 appointments, over a three month period.

Dentists, dental assistants, therapists and hygienists from all over the world volunteer to work on the ship from periods ranging from two weeks to two months. Dentists from Canada, Brazil, America, Europe, India, and Malaysia have all volunteered to work on the hospital ship during its stays in many different countries. During its current trip, the dental team will set up a clinic at the Princess Christian Maternity Hospital in downtown Freetown, and will work together with local staff to treat patients and educate on oral health issues.

New volunteers are always needed to support the outreach expeditions. For more information contact Mercy Ships on 01438 727 800 or www.mercyships.org.uk.