Overview:
More than 350 people have already received free dental care during the Koa Moana 26 outreach in Koror, with community demand far exceeding expectations. U.S. Marine Corps dental teams are seeing about 150 patients a day — nearly triple the number they anticipated.
By: L.N. Reklai
KOROR, Palau (August 6, 2026)— Citizens and residents of Palau are turning out in large numbers at the Palau Civic Center in Koror to take advantage of free dental services provided by U.S. Marine Corps dentists participating in Exercise Koa Moana 26.
Dental Services provided by DENCAP include health promotion interventions. August 6, 2026. Island Times
The Dental Civic Action Program, or DENCAP, is offering free dental care from Aug. 2 through Aug. 11 as part of the 10-day Koa Moana 26 mission.
The community response has far exceeded expectations. By the fourth day of the outreach, five Expeditionary Dental Teams had treated 351 patients and performed 1,014 dental procedures with an estimated value of $116,210, according to DENCAP.
The services provided during the first four days included 285 dental examinations, 302 radiographs, 228 health promotion interventions, 46 periodontal procedures, 43 restorations, 79 extractions, one palliative care encounter and 30 prescriptions.
“We were anticipating 25 to 50 patients a day, but we are seeing around 150 a day,” said Dr. Sullivan, DENCAP team leader.
Jose, one of the Corps technician standing next to a mobile equipment for dental procedures.
The unexpectedly high turnout has also resulted in the dental teams running short of some supplies. The teams have worked with local suppliers to obtain additional consumable materials while waiting for replenishment shipments.
DENCAP said additional supplies were expected to arrive Saturday.
“Running out of supplies is a good thing,” Sullivan said, pointing to the shortage as evidence of the community’s strong interest and need for dental care.
The overwhelming response also left an impression on Sullivan, who said he was eager to return to Palau.
“I am excited to go back and report and come back again,” he said.
For residents who have received treatment, the outreach has provided an opportunity to address dental needs that might otherwise be difficult to afford.
Rimuu Williams said she learned about the free dental services through a flyer posted on the U.S. Embassy’s Facebook page and decided to seek treatment.
“It was done quickly and the numbing was done one time,” Williams said after receiving a filling.
“This was free and it is usually very expensive to get this work done here,” she said.
The dental teams transported their equipment and supplies to Palau on commercial flights. While waiting for additional supplies, they coordinated with a local dentist to obtain needed consumable materials.
DENCAP said the outreach has significantly expanded access to essential oral health care while supporting the humanitarian engagement objectives of the Koa Moana mission.
Exercise Koa Moana is a recurring U.S. Marine Corps deployment and multilateral engagement initiative in the Indo-Pacific region. It focuses on security cooperation, engineering projects, medical outreach and interoperability with partner nations, including the Republic of Palau.
The strong community response to the dental mission demonstrates the demand for accessible oral health services and the immediate impact of providing free care to residents.
With the dental outreach continuing through Aug. 11, DENCAP teams are expected to continue serving patients as supplies are replenished.
