Guatemala Dental Relief Mission 2017

We have just returned from our long awaited week-long dental mission to Peronia, Guatemala. (Click here to get more information on the area where we worked)

We were fortunate to stay in the beautiful historic town of Antigua and on our free day we enjoyed its adventures and beauty. The rest of the week we awoke at 7 am and took a one- hour bus ride to an area outside Guatemala City. As we entered the Peronia City limits, we were escorted by police to the clinic because of high levels of gang violence . With one of the most corrupt police forces in the world this was not necessarily reassuring. As we proceeded though the town of Peronia with our police escort, we attracted more attention than we wanted.

It is a community like many other Guatemalan communities ravaged by corruption, gangs, and poverty. As we drove though the city, littered with garbage I found myself checking the doors several times to make sure that they were locked while making nervous jokes about where I wanted to have lunch that day. Many stores had an armed security guard, not so much to prevent theft, but to prevent extortion from local gangs. The other tiendas that did not have guards had most likely given up and pay for “protection”. Most shops used jail- like bars through which they would pass processed foods and beverages in plastic containers. Most of these containers would later be discarded on the streets. The town was slightly eerie and unlike anyplace I have ever been.

We arrived at the dental clinic, filled with 30-50 people each day, awaiting dental care that they could not otherwise afford. Children, adults and the elderly made the journey from near and far. The life that these people live is amongst the most impoverished in the world. But here the effect of the added dynamic of fear from local brutal gangs like MS 13 and Mara 18 could be seen on the people’s faces.

Everyday we started in the clinic at 9 am and were sure to be finished by 3 so that there was no risk of being in the community after dark. Our team of 7 worked out of 6 dental chairs doing cleanings, extractions, and fillings. For many of the patients it was their first dental visit. Others were regulars at the dental clinic due to their common diet of processed foods and acidic/sugary beverages. This diet also contributes to a spike in diabetes and obesity among children and adults. These factors combined with a lack of education about health, and lack of medical care was the most concerning aspect of Guatemala for me. This is the unfortunate effect of corruption in the public and private sectors in Guatemala leaving the poor with no options and no way out.

 

On our 3rd day in the clinic a 16 year-old girl entered with teeth that were black from decay, nearly needing extractions. With the help of a translator we asked if she knew why her teeth looked like they did. She said that she had no parents, grew up on the streets, and was never able to afford a toothbrush. She was there to get her teeth repaired but it was evident by her reaction to her new beautiful smile that her worries were more complex than just her teeth. Her concerns were whether she would have a safe place to sleep and food to eat. As we searched for smiles, tears of joy and thank yous, we were more often than not met with this rather unemotional reaction. The staff and I would discuss this at length on the long bus rides back to our tourist hotel in our Mercedes bus feeling fulfilled and saddened at the same time. By the end of the week we realized that this is not about us. This is about the people and we can only hope that we provided the dental care they needed to provide comfort to enjoy food and help alleviate any pain they may have been experiencing.

It is our mission statement at the dental office that “we exist to improve quality of life”. We took this to Guatemala and big or small we helped improve quality of life for 110 Guatemalans. I am so fortunate to have such a wonderful group of women that sacrificed, worked so hard, and helped so many people. We are also so fortunate to all the donors that helped make this possible. It was truly a life changing experience for all of us. Thank you to all our supporters, including Bill Spath, Paul Kristajia, Tim Smith, Chad McWhinney

How To Evaluate & Select Your New Dentist

4 Considerations To Help You Select Your New Dentist

It’s a big decision, you’re looking for a dentist. Whether for yourself, a loved one, or the whole family, finding a dentist that suits all your needs is a must! We will provide 4 tips, we think, are absolutely essential to consider when selecting your dental provider. Whether through us or through someone who fits your dental desires & needs more appropriately, Dr. Spath and our team are here for you and your health especially if you live in Corona Del Mar or the surrounding Newport Beach, CA areas.

Location

Whether close to work or your home, the location of your preferred dentist should be considered when looking for a dentist. The office should be easily accessible, a manageable distance, and provide you with all your dental needs. Remember, the American Dental Association recommended two checkups a year, your general dentist should be

Treatments

Treatments should be one of the main focuses in your search of finding a new dentist. Some may want a dentist for general treatments while others want cosmetic options too. Doesn’t matter your wants or needs, find a dentist that will fulfill those to the utmost intent and you will both be happy for many years to come. So sit down and plot out what’s important to you when making that trip to the dentist.

Reviews

Not only is word-of-mouth a very valuable resource for finding a great dentist, but good online reviews matter, too! Before making that next appointment, resort to the internet for peers just like you and their experiences. Whether lackluster or through the roof excellent, these reviews will give you all you need to know about what experience you’re in store for… Just sayin’.

The Staff

Going to the dentist should be a personable experience and one that you enjoy. The staff makes all the difference. From the time you walk in all the way through treatment and follow-ups, every encounter should have you saying ‘wow’. With your next selection of dentist, be sure to stop on in and get to know the employees as well as the dentist, him or herself. They will be the ones taking care of you and directing you down a path of optimal oral health.

Simple enough right? Keep those four tell all factors in mind, and your next dentist is sure to be your last! Thanks for reading… until next time!