Dentaltown May 2017 - 69

Smiles on Wings programs have transBunnag was featured in the May
formed thousands of people all around
2016 issue of Dentaltown, where she
the globe, and it is the Board's honor to
wrote about the difficulties and challengbestow the 2017 ADA Humanitarian
es of the program's efforts.
Award to her for her devotion and ded"The journey of Smiles on Wings began
ication."
in 2003, during a trip I took to the Mae
The children saying thank-you and goodbye
The award recognizes distinguished
Sariang district of northern Thailand. ...
members of the dental profession who have spent a minimum of 10
On our first visit to this mountainous terrain bordering Myanmar, my
years helping underserved populations in the U.S. or abroad. Along
husband and I knew that our goal would be to bring dental care to the
with the recognition, Bunnag will receive $10,000 toward the charity
villagers who populate the area-even though doing so would require the
of her choice. A dental professional must be nominated for his or her
help of a team of dedicated people."
efforts, and cannot nominate themselves.
Honoring others through service
As part of the process, the ADA hears directly from those inBunnag attributes her eagerness to give back to others, especially
volved or impacted by a nominees' charitable work. In his letter of
those in her homeland of Thailand, to her mother.
support for Bunnag, Dr. John Savukinas described the award-winShe left Thailand at the age of 14 with her father to live in the
ning doc as a true leader, role model and inspirational colleague.
U.S. It would be the last time Bunnag saw her mother. Years later,
Savukinas has volunteered five times with Smiles on Wings.
when she passed away, Bunnag was in dental school and could not
"The first time I volunteered, I wasn't sure what to expect," he
afford to go back home to say goodbye. Her decision to go back to
wrote in his letter to the ADA. "But it was truly an amazing expeThaliand is a tribute to her mother.
rience. ... We were able to treat so many patients who were in great
Bunnag has said that being altruistic is in her blood, and that
need of dental care."
being kind is something her mother taught her.
Perhaps one of the most powerful endorsements-and evidence
On her most recent trip to Thailand last January, she organized
of Bunnag's impact-comes from Renu Srisawaidaorunag, who
and coordinated two missions with a team of dentists, hygienists and
graduated from college in 2012 thanks to a Smiles on Wings scholarhelpers, who treated a total of 274 patients (1,413 procedures).
ship. Srisawaidaorunag returned to her home village as a community
"On my most recent trip in January 2017, I organized and cohealth officer and now provides midlevel healthcare to her village.
ordinated a dental mission in southern Thailand where we have a
"My family is poor. Our village is very remote. It takes an hour
permanent dental clinic," Bunnag said. "We also carried out our first
[with a] four-wheeled drive [vehicle] from the nearest town, and anleadership retreat for our young scholars and graduates from our
other hour by boat to reach [it]. In the rainy season, traveling is very
scholarship program to empower and mentor these future leaders."
dangerous," Srisawaidaorunag wrote to the ADA in nomination of
To date, Bunnag, along with her team, have treated thousands of
Bunnag. "Through Dr. Usa and Smiles on Wings, I have returned
patients in the U.S. and abroad.
home to help my village with the skills to improve the lives of the
"It is an honor to be recognized for the work that I do," Bunnag
entire community."
said. "As the first woman dentist to win this prestigious award, I hope
Srisawaidaorunag called Bunnag an example for her and her peoto inspire the young women that are entering the field of dentistry.
ple to strive to make a difference in the community.
As a dentist, there is an opportunity to give back and to make a dif"I pledge to continue to carry out her mission and vision for
ference to the communities or the world despite the demand of our
many years to come," she said. "Without Dr. Bunnag, the girls from
profession and our personal lives. As an immigrant, I hope that I can
villages like me would not be able to attend college. I owe my deepest
also inspire many immigrants in the U.S., whether practicing dengratitude to Dr. Bunnag and Smiles on Wings."
tists or other professionals, that they can give back to their adopted
Bunnag will accept her award in a ceremony honoring her efforts
country and to their homeland as well. "
in October at the ADA's 2017 annual meeting in Atlanta.
For more information, visit smilesonwings.org. ■

Honoring others through service

Smiles on Wings isn't the only program Bunnag has established.
She has founded or helped create an additional six programs aimed at
everything from dental clinics to scholarships and post-tsunami reconstruction efforts, all of which are carried out under Smiles on Wings.
"With more than three decades serving the underserved in Thailand and here at home, Dr. Bunnag inspires all of us to be humanitarians in our own unique ways as dentists," ADA President Dr.
Gary Roberts said in the official award's official announcement. "Her
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Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of Dentaltown May 2017