Dentaltown May 2013 - (Page 84)

do good feature The first half – “Just Back from Kenya” – is to inspire you to get out of your office and help others, maybe even as far away as Kenya. by Laurie Mathews The second half – “Join Us on Future Trips”– is to tell you how to sign up! Just Back from Kenya In February 2013, 20 intrepid volunteers traveled to Africa to inaugurate Global Dental Relief ’s first dental clinic in Kenya. The clinic was held at the Kikuyu Dental Hospital outside of the capital of Nairobi in a beautiful eight-chair dental facility. Over the course of five days, volunteers treated 1,038 children in a clinic rich with new friendships and time shared between vastly different cultures and life experiences. Volunteers included four dentists, two hygienists and 11 nondental volunteers – a nurse, photographer, realtor, lawyer, several retirees and others – who came from Canada, the U.S. and Germany. The group was joined by Dr. Wambugu, the director of the dental hospital, and his very able Kenyan staff (Fig. 1). As the clinic got underway, volunteers discovered the highlight of the whole experience: the wonderful Kenyan children. The first line of 50 children formed at the door, each child holding a dental chart. The air burst with giggles, chatter and excitement as these terrific kids waited – each with a wide open smile and an interest in discussing the proceedings and many other topics with the volunteers (Fig. 2). Each day began with toothbrush instruction, an energetic, highly interactive experience led by volunteer Maro Casparian from Denver (Fig. 3). Maro had the children chanting “two times a day” and “touch every tooth” while singing, dancing and calling out answers to oral health questions. This sight was so tender that volunteers repeatedly left the clinic to go outside and join in the sharing of songs, stories and education. The clinic experience for patients began with an initial exam by one of two “intake” dentists. Those needing further care were given anesthesia and sent for restorations and extractions. The remainder received a cleaning and fluoride treatment and then exited the clinic with a carefully selected sticker of their choice. Generally, children had good oral health; approximately 40 percent of the patients needed extractions or restorations, though the percent needing care noticeably increased with age. Fig. 1 84 MAY 2013 » dentaltown.com Fig. 2 The children were a vibrant part of each day, making up new names for themselves as they awaited their exams. Most creative was a boy who announced his new name was “Pain Killer.” As volunteer Mary Miller, retiree from Pagosa Springs, Colorado, and six-time GDR volunteer says: “It was so easy to flow into the new environment of Kenya. The kids sit in the dental chairs with apprehension and slide out of the same chair with huge smiles because they made new friends and had someone do something good for them.” Matt Hart, a golf pro working in the clinic to sterilize instruments, met a boy he will never forget – a savvy six-year-old who tugged on his scrubs and told him he needed to go home, knowing he was next up to get a tooth pulled. As Matt says: “I bought it hook, line and sinker! So many great memories and so many ‘firsts’ for me. It truly was a special experience” (Fig. 4). Mid-way through the week, volunteers experienced the second highlight as they headed to Lake Nakuru for a day of rest and safari. Surrounded by a panorama of zebras, rhinos and giraffes, it finally sunk in that they were far from home and truly in Africa, a wondrous place unlike anywhere else on earth (Figs. 5 and 6). In five days, volunteers treated 1,038 children with 500 restorations, 122 extractions, 202 cleanings and 700 fluoride treatments. As the final day drew to a close, the group was somber with the thought of leaving the children and the critical dental care they needed. The experience is best captured by Dr. Jimmy Nelson (Figs. 7 and 8) from Wyoming who said: “Sitting with this beautiful, braided-haired Kenya girl, timid but trusting as she opens her mouth, I was struck with a rush of thoughts about all that I enjoy in my life. I had to catch my breath and scoot back a minute to compose myself, overwhelmed with the knowledge that because I have been given much, I too must give. It is such a treat to give to those who have very little – and from this experience I receive so much!” Fig. 3 Fig. 4 http://www.dentaltown.com

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown May 2013

Dentaltown.com Highlights
Howard Speaks: Is Dentistry Getting Too Easy?
Professional Courtesy: High Tide for High Tech
Continuing Education Update
Industry News
Second Opinion: The Stainless-Steel Crown for Primary Molars
Special Second Opinion: Prevent a Tulsa Repeat
Simple Two-implant CT Guided Case
Does Your Staff Ask for Referrals?
Your 2013 Website Optimization Starts Today
I Attended Your CE and All I Got Was This Crappy Notebook
Dentaltown Research: CAD/CAM
New Products
DIY Finance, Part VI: Red Flags and Scams
Employee Working Interviews: They’re Legal, Aren’t They?
The Sleeping Giant in Your Practice
What’s on My Tray? Prep and Impression, Crown and Bridge
Continuing Education: Articaine and Paresthesia in Dental Anesthesia: Neurotoxicity or Procedural Trauma?
Concentric Circles Dentaltown’s annual focus on the charitable side of dentistry
All the Things Money Can’t Buy
Taking on Pro-bono Cases
Doing Good and Doing Well
Global Dental Relief
Giving Thanks, One Smile at a Time
Big Help on a Local Level
Oral Health America
You Should Know: Climb for a Cause
In This Issue: Where Should Prevention Begin?
Perio Reports
Ad Index
Profile in Oral Health Prada or Prevention: A Look at Public Health and Oral Health
Dentally Incorrect

Dentaltown May 2013