Friday, August 7, 2009 9:56 PM CDT
Lake Land dental hygiene students share their knowledge and skills with residents of Dominican Republic
By DAWN SCHABBING, Features Writer
dschabbing@jg-tc.com
Calling it a field trip just isn’t enough. But, calling it a life-changing experience for some Lake Land College dental hygiene students might be more fitting.
Nine students, two faculty and two local experienced hygienists recently traveled to Santiago, Dominican Republic, on a mission to help families there — some who have never visited a dentist or received professional dental care.
The patients seeking care waited in long lines, anxious to get the care they needed.
“We felt like celebrities there,” said Jamie Pearcy, a LLC dental hygiene program student.
In all, the group tended to 194 patients — giving them oral exams, cleaning teeth, and educating them about brushing and flossing. In addition, 400 young students were educated in the schools and each received a fluoride treatment.
Every patient left with toothbrushes, dental floss and toothpaste. The team also worked in the nutrition center in the poverty-stricken area.
Two volunteer Dominican dentists assisted with extractions. An estimated 40 to 50 patients required treatment from the dentists.
Debbie Kirts, director of the dental hygiene program at LLC, said two students approached her about reaching out to help others. She encouraged them to research the idea, and they came up with G.O. Ministries, a non-profit Christian organization that is dedicated to short-term missions and the development of global partnerships. However, G.O. Ministries had never had a group of hygienists request to be a part of the organization.
“We were the first dental hygiene group they’ve hosted,” Kirts said. “We felt safe there and we were with people who knew the area. We had interpreters who helped and held flashlights so we could work.”
The group spent a week setting up a makeshift clinic, educating the children in schools about dental hygiene, and treating locals during eight-hour clinics at which people would stand in line for the service.
Kirts said the children in Santiago often suck sugar cane to help with their hunger issues. This common practice is not good for their teeth, however.
Many of those who made the mission trip had to hold fundraisers in order to pay their way. The trip cost $1,495 per person.
The local team was put up in a dorm-like setting, but without much of the comforts from home, during their visit, which was May 26 to June 2. The team stayed in one large room that contained eight triple-decked bunks with 2-inch foam mattresses.
Dominican Republic borders Haiti, located in the Caribbean sea.
“At first it was a culture shock. We did without our own comforts, but it was all very much worth it,” said Kathy Thompson, a dental hygienist with Drs. Kepp and Kennedy in Mattoon, who made the trip.
The first day was spent setting up the clinic, without the usual dental chairs and equipment trays the hygienists are used to at home.
The team dealt with frequent power outages; no air conditioning; no hot water; and showers that equalled pouring cups of cold water onto themselves.
“We worked out of a church. The benches were moved to the sides, up against walls. We used pillows and ‘arm swim floaties’ as head rests. We worked mostly in groups of two,” Kirts said.
Working on patients who were seated on a bench was a physical challenge for the mission workers.
In addition, “rolling blackouts came every day,” Thompson said. “Electricity was spotty. We made do with what we had. It was a challenge. But, we had fun.
“It made me appreciate even more our office setting, and what we have here as a country,” she said.
Despite a language barrier, the help of interpreters made their job possible.
Pearcy said among other things, going to the Spanish-and Creole-speaking area has made her want to learn another language. “You just don’t realize how much of a language barrier there is until you are in that type of situation,” she said.
Because the clinic was in a temporary setting and supplies were limited, not everyone in line was able to get help.
“At the end of day two, we had to turn away some patients, and that was heart-breaking,” Pearcy said.
Before taking the trip, Kirts said they had to estimate what amount of supplies to bring along.
Mattoon dentist Dr. Phil Kepp provided dental tools; Patterson Dental Supply, Effingham, donated supplies; and Proctor and Gamble donated toothbrushes, toothpaste and dental floss. Two suitcases were packed full of dental supplies for this trip.
Since it was the first experience for the Lake Land College group, Kirts said she’ll know more about what supplies to take next time. She’s hopeful a grant will help pay for equipment as well.
“I’ve never been so proud of my students in all my life,” Kirts said. “They behaved so well, and professionally.”
Contact Dawn Schabbing at dschabbing@jg-tc.com or 238-6864.
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Mama says wrote on Aug 8, 2009 9:59 PM: