Here’s what some of our trip volunteers have to share about their experiences with Dentistry For All:

Alan Ross, Regina SK Canada

(Associate Member, Toronto Alumni Chapter A.O.)

April 19, 2009: Last month I had a unique opportunity to participate in a very special project - to provide dental care to select groups of people in Guatemala who otherwise don't have access to dental care. This might be due to remoteness of their location, inadequate finances or lack of available dental personnel. Indeed, there are many such individuals and organizations that provide various medical and dental services around the world including general medical care, major surgical interventions, ophthalmological services, hearing testing and care, provision of medical supplies etc., in addition to dental care. In some cases there is a political agenda, and in some cases there is religious motivation. I think that many groups begin with the best of intentions and somewhere along the way the provision of medical services becomes almost secondary to other overriding factors.

I am pleased to have observed that "Dentistry For All - Odontologia Para Todos" has operated for fifteen years apolitically and areligiously in Guatemala with the simple intention of providing a service where it can to those in need. Of course it is impossible for one to service every individual in need, but one starts by making a small dent in that 'need', growing over time to provide more services each year as has "Dentistry For All". Each year, building upon the previous years, "Dentistry For All" has improved its organization, acquired more dental and support personnel, and received better funding and commercial support. Thus, "Dentistry For All" has been able to expand the reach of its simple mission - to provide dental care where there is a need.

At home in Canada we know that to maintain our dental health we must visit a dentist at least once or twice each year as well as do effective daily home care - brushing teeth, flossing, etc. However, it is almost impossible for a team of dentists to fly into a community for a week once a year and expect to maintain Canadian standards where existing dental IQ is low. Nevertheless, that is the ultimate goal. It is possible with further expansion of services and support to ultimately establish a full-time dental clinic on location that will provide better continuity of care, and expanded dental education and preventive services.

This year was my first encounter with "Dentistry For All", and it has been a positive experience from the beginning. I love to travel, and I hadn't been to Guatemala previously making this an opportunity not to be missed. I made many new friends among the participants and enjoyed the company of each one as we lived, worked and travelled together. We worked hard at providing dental care, but it never felt as if we were really working hard; we were simply doing what we do best. We might have felt exhausted, but we still felt good. At the same time we enjoyed meeting and interacting with these wonderful, friendly people as we learned of their culture; we were touched by their appreciation of our presence; we were awed by the beauty of the countryside and historical sites; we were gratified for having been able to help some people in need.

It was a great and memorable holiday, as well as a meaningful and heart-warming experience. There is no doubt I could do this again! Certainly others would benefit similarly, too.

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Rachel Osokow

Returned Peace Corps Volunteer, Guatemala 2006-2008, Post Baccalaureate Pre-Medical Studies, Columbia University

During my two years living in Comitancillo as a small business adviser for AMMID, I had the chance to translate for Dentistry For All for a total of four weeks. The majority of patients they saw have never had the opportunity to visit any kind of doctor, and routinely needed major work done. They would wait nervously in line, take their turn in the chair, and then return with other members of their families begging for them to be seen as well. Every year after the dentists had left, people stopped by my house to see if I could get their name on the list for next year's clinic. The reality is, that it isn't just the health care that everyone appreciates. It's the fact that the town recognizes doctors who return every year; that they finally have a tangible opportunity to improve their children's lives. The doctors listen to people who have never been listened to before and treat the poor and illiterate as well as they would treat any wealthy patient. In Guatemala, the indigenous have learned their place at the bottom of society. Just by being treated as people they are being offered hope as well as help.

I am now back in the States in a program that I hope will allow me to enter into dental school. During my time working with different development organizations, I have never seen anything work as well as the Dentistry for All organization's principle of bringing needed services in a manner that convinces individuals they are valued.

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