Dental

The dental needs of the people of Honduras and specifically in the region of Santa Lucia and Concepcion 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, 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.

The dentists with Shoulder to Shoulder quickly realized the common "dental brigade" approach was actually worse than no treatment. During these brigades, U.S. dentists travel to remote villages to pull bad teeth. This provides little relief for the dental pain during the rest of the year and reinforces the notion that teeth were not to be valued in health, but were to be ignored and extracted.

With the generous support of donors in the U.S. and the help of the people of Santa Lucia and Concepcion, two modern dental clinics are available to the poor in Intibuca, providing preventative and restorative dentistry. Modern equipment is available including lights, suction, air compressors, high speed drills, modern filling materials and local anesthesia. In addition, there is a fluoride and preventative program in the schools. For the last four years, we have had a full-time Honduran dentist and assistant. We now have a second clinic which is staffed by a Honduran dentist and assistant. Others have joined this effort as well, mostly in volunteer positions: Honduran and U.S. dentists, and Honduran and U.S. dental school students.

Dental Brigade Participation

A participating dentist, of any specialty, can expect a tremendously rewarding experience in Honduras. The brigades last about two weeks and all incidental travel arrangements are taken care of - the dentists and staff only concentrate on dentistry. Similar to the medical brigade, supplies are always in need and these donations are always welcome. Brigade supplies 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 and/or funds will truly make a difference in the lives of those most in need.