PAST TEAM NEWS

Our first team effort was a bit rough, as the clinic was not ready as promised and it was definitely a learning experience. However, fifteen wonderful volunteers plus three students from San Carlos University filled 219 teeth, sealed another 125, extracted 63 teeth, 4 root canals (thanks to volunteer Rob bringing his equipment) and our fabulous hygienists cleaned 73 very dirty mouths.  The volunteers received papayas, watermelon, small coin purses and a huge number of hugs and smiles. We discovered we needed;

  • children's equipment. A 4 year old had all her teeth rotted to the gum line.
  • Root canals: Thanks to the Rotary grant we will have the equipment necessary.
  • x-ray equipment for children’s small mouths. 
  • cavitrons for the hygienists: many teeth had never been cleaned before & were black

 

In June, volunteers organized while Rotarians finished the building and spacious patio. Then we were open for treating the many grateful villagers. Volunteers were again amazed at the gratefulness and loving reactions from their patients. One said:

“I returned home a very changed person. I will never complain at my work again, as I appreciate how well off we are. Treating people who have so little, puts our lives in perspective.”


  Richard with Cristina

We targeted hygiene education as part of the treatment. The beverages of choice are colas, full of sugar. One mother came up the following day to assure me that her children would only be drinking pure water in the future. On subsequent trips, we hope to go to the schools and community centers to educate them in hygiene.

We are also working with a new toothpaste company to provide more affordable toothpaste & brushes through the clinic. Rather than $2.65 per tube, we can offer it at $1.06. Hopefully this will make a difference in family spending choices.

Nicole with Mama's helper

 

SAN  CARLOS  UNIVERSITY students Nicole, Jose and Victor were terrific! They worked as hard as the rest of us and claimed they learned a lot. Our first permanent students were assigned in July.


            Volunteers and Scholarsip girls at the fiesta

 Dr. Ancheta, director of the San Carlos University dental program, visited the clinic and promptly decided to send two EPS students instead of the planned one. The equipment in this clinic was just too hard to resist. Most of their students make do in clinics with a basic equipment setup, a bottle of clorox and a scrub brush. So, our clinic has the first 8 month student practice with 2 students doing their supervised professional experience.  Dr. Ancheta hopes to add one more in June 2008.