TAIWAN — Dentist Pan Wenliang gave up operating in the metropolis and moved to an indigenous tribe, embracing rural medicine to become the only dentist in the area for a hundred years.

For Dr. Pan Wen-Liang, gently comforting young patients is part of a day’s work. He has practiced medicine for over 30 years and was influenced by stories of Mackay pulling teeth and sharing the gospel. The stories planted the seed of rural medical mission in his heart. Leaving his practice in the north, Dr. Pan packed up his equipment and moved to rural Taitung. When he first arrived, the locals lacked proper dental hygiene awareness, so they were reluctant to see a dentist. So he and his wife, Ruan Mei-Ling, a nurse, proactively visited each village, providing medical care and building trust.

Grace Dentist Pan Wen-liang:

Their socio-economic status affects the kids’ oral health so some have lots of cavities.

There are 5 villages in Taitung’s Yanping district, but Dr. Pan is the only dentist. Over ten years ago, after Mrs. Pan was diagnosed with cancer, the couple decided to devote themselves to rural medical missions. The first house you see when entering this Bunun village in Taitung is Grace Dental Clinic.

Mrs. Pan Ruan Mei-ling:

At our wedding we talked about this (rural medical mission) But never actually took that step.

Grace Dentist Pan Wen-liang:

While I was practicing in Yonghe I knew it was densely populated. Within 200 meters in every direction there were already other dentists. My practice did well, but I thought other places might need me more.

Mrs. Pan Ruan Mei-ling:

It wasn’t till we got to Taitung and settled in that it hit me; I was finally walking the road I had promised God I would walk in.

Grace Dentist Pan Wen-liang:

While my wife was receiving chemo was probably our weakest point and this motivated us to go to a place that needs us rather than where we need to be. There were both tears and laughter, but in the end we’re just grateful. I don’t know what else to say.

Mrs. Pan Ruan Mei-ling:

The people here said there’s been no dentist here in the past 100 years. So they weren’t use to having their teeth checked. The wouldn’t go to the dentist until their teeth started hurting.

Patient Mr. Wang:

Before they came it wasn’t convenient.

For Dr. Pan, the best reward is when a villager, not on the appointment list, suddenly appears at the door due to a toothache

Grace Dentist Pan Wen-liang:

A girl had been in an accident and one tooth was loose and sticking out a bit. I tried to secure it in place because if more than an hour passes there’s no way to put it back. Luckily, she found me in that time and didn’t have to pull the tooth.

The Pans have been sustained by the motto, God’s grace is sufficient for us, throughout their journey of rural medical practice, demonstrating their wholehearted commitment to serving others.

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