Dentistry

The dental needs of the people of Honduras and specifically in the region of Santa Lucia are unimaginable.   Even the basics of dental hygiene such as toothbrushes and toothpaste are a seldom seen luxury - and floss is an unknown.  The water has no fluoride to prevent decay and malnutrition fosters dental disease.   The diet is loaded with refined sugar in the form of sugar cane and cheap soft drinks.   Dental caries are rampant at an early age causing most children and adults to have teeth that have decayed at the gums with acute and chronic oral infections.   Until recently in Santa Lucia, dental treatment was more than five hours away by bus over mountainous dirt roads, but, even then, it was out of reach due to the lack of financial resources for most of this area.  Usual treatment was extraction, not the preferred remedy, however.With the generous support of donors in the U.S. and the help of the people of Santa Lucia, a modern dental clinic is complete.   Now restorative dentistry is available.  Modern equipment is available including lights, suction, air compressors, high speed drills, modern filling materials and local anesthesia.  As well, there is a fluoride program in the schools.   The potential to help in the area of Santa Lucia is now limited only by the financial support available and by the volunteerism of the dentists and dental assistants who make the trip to provide care. An effort is underway to staff our dental clinic full time and to spread the success to other villages.   Others have joined this effort:   Honduran dentists, U.S. and Honduran dental school students, as well as the volunteer dentists from the U.S.  For the last 3 years, we have had a full time Honduran dentist and assistant.

Dental Brigade Participation

A participating dentist, of any specialty, can expect a tremendously rewarding experience in Honduras.   The brigades last about 2 weeks and all incidental travel arrangements are taken care of - the dentists and staff have only to concentrate on dentistry.   As with the medical brigade, supplies are always in need and donations to be used on the brigade are always welcome.   They are typically carried in the participants' suitcases from the States to Honduras.   If you are interested in participating, please complete an application form and return it to the address provided on the form.The dental program has been such a great success that plans are underway to expand to other communities.  Dental treatment, prevention, education, hygiene and fluoride programs are all included in this vision.  Donations of dental equipment, supplies and personal time in traveling to Honduras are desperately needed. Contact the Shoulder to Shoulder office at 513-685-7007 or email us, if you have donations or questions.

Please take a moment to consider how you can be part of this extremely important and much needed effort.  Your contribution of time or funds will truly make a difference in the lives of some who are most in need.