Why should missionaries treat dental care as a serious stewardship concern rather than a cosmetic preference?
Hale devotes unusual attention to dental health, not because teeth are a shallow concern, but because dental problems can become severe and difficult to address in many mission settings.
Hale observes that dental care often matters less culturally in many places, yet missionaries who return home to give reports still feel a need to look reasonably put together. The missionary’s appearance, for better or worse, shapes listeners’ impressions and, in turn, support and trust.
Dental care is a stewardship issue for missionaries because untreated problems can escalate into crises and undermine both health and credibility in the work.
Hale’s practical counsel is straightforward: complete dental work during home visits and maintain oral health as best as possible while abroad. Dental emergencies may not allow for repair. Hale gives a concrete example: if a tooth breaks on a rock hidden in rice, extraction may be far more likely than repair.
Dental care is a stewardship issue for missionaries because untreated problems can escalate into crises and undermine both health and credibility in the work.
Disclaimer: Information in my “slip-box” doesn’t necessarily reflect my agreement with the source or all its content. Recording diverse perspectives helps strengthen one’s position beyond the echo chamber of like-minded thinkers. By documenting alternative viewpoints, we engage in the intellectual wrestling match that ultimately deepens our understanding.
I aspire to post one note from my “slip-box” every weekday. If you want to learn more about how to work with knowledge, click this link: What is knowledge management?
Pastor Dan Patrick, raised in Northern Virginia near Washington, D.C., holds both a Bible degree and a Master’s of Divinity. He has ministered across five states from coast to coast, serving in various capacities, including pastoral leadership. Dan’s primary mission is to help people love God’s Word and find their purpose in God’s work.
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