by Kip Sterling,  Student Chapter President

We have had a very successful semester in our student chapter of the Academy at Colorado. We have had 3 noteworthy events this semester. Perhaps the event I was most excited by was the service project we held. These are the events we’ve had this semester:

Left to Right: Kami Laurence (secretary/treasurer), Andrew Foster (President-Elect), Kip Sterling, and Gordon Christensen

1. Gordon Christensen’s Lecture

Dr. Christensen's lecture

Dr. Christensen was kind enough to give us the evening before speaking at the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention in Denver in January. Over 70 students and faculty were in attendance for the lecture including the Dean of the Dental School. The event created a lot of good publicity for our chapter around campus. The lecture was held after school and our chapter was able to provide food thanks to our generous sponsors Dr. Royce Hatch, Dr. Andrew Kelson, Dr. Brian Cope and Mr. Jamie Hardy. We have a sponsorship program where we have invited local LDS dentists to assist us with funds. It was a great opportunity for us students to see some interesting concepts.

2. Mouthguard Service Project

In March we held our first chapter service project. We fabricated custom mouthguards for a local high school’s lacrosse team at no cost to them.

Student Jeff Green taking an impression

We made the mouthguards for 15 players on the Rangeview Raiders lacrosse team. We spent a Saturday making impressions and pouring up models. Dr. Kirk Nielson at Advanced Orthodontics in Centennial, CO was kind enough to donate his office and some materials for impressions and model making.

At Dr. Kirk Nielson's Orthodontic office; L to R: Kip Sterling, Josh Nardone, Jeff Green, Nate Gunning, and Zach Tanner

We then fabricated the mouthguards at our school and delivered them to the athletes the following week at their practice.

Kip Sterling taking an impression

Many of the boys and their parents were very grateful for the service project. It was a very rewarding event as we could put some of our growing dental skills to good use.

3. 2nd Annual 3v3 Basketball Tournament

Andrew Foster explains the rules for the tournament

The Winners! L to R: Pat Hannaway, Steve Savage, and Jake Mackey

Due to more favorable scheduling we moved our annual 3v3 basketball tournament to the Spring. The tournament is a fundraiser for our chapter.

We had 10 teams compete in the tournament.  Again it was a good opportunity for fellowshipping and we were able to raise some funds for our chapter for the coming year.

This year we had trophies for 1st and 2nd place teams. We also voted on a tournament MVP/Sharp Shooter.

It was very successful event!

This IS Paradise!!!

by Dr. Wayne Chisholm

In February Dr. Wayne Chisholm and his wife, Jeannine left the snowbound hills of Utah, changed their boots for sandals and spent a month in Samoa at the Pesega Dental Clinic in Apia, Samoa.  Dr. Chisholm worked at the Clinic with Elder and Sister Weber who were finishing up an 18-month Welfare Humanitarian Dental Mission.

The Pesega clinic was established in 2008 at the request of Spencer Condie, who was then the Area President of the New Zealand/Pacific Area.  In conjunction with Deseret International Foundation and The Academy of LDS Dentists, the LDS Church made available and remodeled a building on the Church Campus there.  Dr. Ralph Downey with wife, Diana, and their younger children spent six months in Samoa getting donated equipment up and running, and then doing dentistry in the modern 3-chair clinic.  Their family was much loved by the people in Samoa and their leaving was hard on all.

Our "front office" area - this is Sister Weber

Soon after their departure, Dr. Chisholm and his wife spent 9 months carrying on the good work.  They loved Samoa and the many friends they made there.  Volunteer dental assistants were a delight and called them Grandpa and Grandma.

Dr. Jerry Capener and his wife, Sue, came a few months later spending 3 months and also reporting a wonderful time.

   

Elder Weber treating a patient and being assisted by a local volunteer

Elder and Sister Weber were soon after called on an 18-month mission, which finished in March 2012.  Two weeks later, Dr. Roger Roth and his wife, Julie who is a hygienist, arrived to spend 14 months on a Dental Service Project.  They were so excited that they have already recruited their replacements that will arrive in April of 2013.

Dr. Roth and his wife will have the blessing of working with five native Samoans who are volunteering their time in the clinic–one as receptionist/office manager and four dental assistants.  

Information on service in several other countries can be found on the Academy Website,

CLICK HERE

Samoa requires a minimum stay of one month. 
If your schedule does not allow a stay of this length, arrangements can be made for a stay of two weeks or more in Tonga or Kiribati.  If your schedule only allows one week, the clinic in Guatemala City is a great option. 

Wayne and Jeannine Chisholm can help

with arrangements for any of these countries.

Phone 435-896-4347  or

e-mail wchisholm@live.com for more information.

(The Outreach Excursion to the People of Senahú, Guatemala)

by Elder Rich Call  

Elder & Sister Call working on a future missionary

Elder Rich Call and his wife LeeAnn are currently serving a full-time dental mission in the Guatemala Dental Clinic.

While the focus of our efforts here in Guatemala City are on Future Missionaries, those currently serving missions in Central America, MTC Missionaries and orphans, the Area Presidency has invited us to certain remote areas of high need in Guatemala where missionaries, future missionaries, and some members DO NOT have access to dental resources.  One such area last month was Senahú, Guatemala, just north-east of Lake Isabel.

Village of Senahú, Alta Verapaz, Guatemala

Getting There

At the end of a 10-hour drive from Guatemala City, including 4-wheel drive roads through some of Guatemala’s most beautiful terrain, Senahú is part of an extended mountain community, with multiple villages all home for approximately 30,000 individuals in the Department of Alta Verapaz in the Republic of Guatemala.  About 25% of the residents are LDS.  The road passes near the ruins of Quirigua and the historical Lake Isabel area.

Main Plaza in Senahú

The Community

The community was founded by Q’eqchi’ Mayan refugees from a series of 19th century conflicts in the Ishi Mountains of Central Guatemala.

The ancient Stellas of Quirigua on the road to Senahú

The area is known for its woven textiles, coffee farms and a rare spice, cardamon, highly prized by the Arabic and Asian markets.  That may be why the road up the hill to Senahú is one of the finest in Guatemala, built by Japan.  In addition to it’s lush natural beauty, one also finds the ruins of Chijolom and La Providencia.

Textiles of the area

The beautiful textiles from the Senahú market

Weaving and native handicrafts are available, but their true wealth lies in the gentle kindness of it’s inhabitants.  They are a delightful people who still have the dominant language of Q’eqchi. 

Our Temporary Clinic

On Sunday afternoon we set up our four dental operatories in the cultural hall of a beautiful phase one chapel and readied it for patients the next morning.

A local woman and her son setting up the market in Senahú

Our 5-chair clinic set up inside the LDS Chapel area

Dr. Richard Smith & wife Norma treating a missionary

Dr. Paul Fillmore & his wife Joanne with a missionary in the chair.

Dr. Paul Fillmore, released 6 months previously from his calling as Dental Director and full-time missionary of the Guatemala Dental Clinic, Dr. Richard Smith, as well as the two currently serving dental missionaries (Dr. Richard Johnson and Dr. Rich Call) provided the clinical manpower along with our, oh, so wonderful wives.

Clinical planning meeting in Elder & Sister Spradlin’s home: from the left back row – Richard & Norma Smith, Elder Call, Dr. Paul Fillmore, Joanne Fillmore, (front row) Elder Richard and AnnaLee Johnson

All the logistics – crowd control, patient education, scheduling, post-op instructions, and translation – was magnificently orchestrated by Elder and Sister Spradlin, the full-time senior missionary couple serving in the area. 

Elder & Sister Johnson caring for a missionary

Local members had accepted assignments to work in all those areas, and their assistance in translation was especially helpful.  A small, very modest building (e.g., running water and electricity is not exactly always available) adjacent to the Church served as home for the four nights. 

Living Conditions

Most of our meals were provided by the wife of the Stake President, President Caal.

Breakfast of eggs, tortillas and beans every morning with the family of Presidente Caal.

The fine young turkey wandering about  President Caal’s yard on Wednesday morning joined us for lunch that afternoon in the form of Kak’ik, (or Ka’Qik) a spicy turkey stew. (The word “ik” means hot or spicy in Maya, which leads me to believe Kak means turkey…). 

Meals lovingly prepared and served by Sister Caal, wife of the Stake President, and her family, on a wood burning stove.

The dish comes from Pre-Hispanic times and contains much significance for the Mayans, and Sister Caal and her family took great pride in serving it to us in the Church.   It is a truly wonderful spicy soup renowned throughout Guatemala made with our former fowl friend, fresh vegetables, and Annato (Achiote) seeds, which give the soup it’s unique color and flavor.

Housing in Senahú, just next door above the Chapel

The Results

At the final count, a total of 240 patients were seen during the 3 days of care, which is not bad for 4 old dentists on portable equipment!  Not counting exams and consultations, we provided over 475 clinical procedures, including 219 extractions, 206 fillings, 50 periodontal cleanings, and other preventive services.  Additionally, full radiographic surveys were provided for all future missionaries, utilizing a Nomad and digital system.

You Too Can Help!!

If serving in our wonderful, well-equipped dental clinic in Guatemala City is just too sedate for you and you are looking for a little more “adventure” in your humanitarian service – let us know what YOU want to do.  Give us some flexibility on scheduling the trip, and we can take you places that the larger groups just can’t go. 

About five dentists and/or hygienists make an ideal service team, and we are usually able to provide 2 or three from our own group here. 

So let us know if you are interested in serving in a more remote, high need area in addition to working with us in the Guatemala Dental Clinic.  We’ll help you feel very good about helping people who have high needs and limited resources but are truly wonderful sons and daughters of our Father in Heaven.

See the clinic’s Blog HERE

If you are interested in serving in GUATEMALA, contact
Elder Rich Call at email: call_rich@msn.com or guatemalaclinic@gmail.com

The Palmers give Dr. Coulabally a camera.

From Feb. 15 -22, 2012 a group of 14 individuals traveled to Mali, Africa for a dental mission.  Our group worked in the village of Ouelessebougou for two days as well as the villages of Faradiele, Beneko, Manabougou and Tentou. We extracted over 750 badly decayed teeth.

The village of Ferediele. This villager is the brother of former NBA player Soumaile Samake; Dr. Palmer is on theleft and Dr. Florence on the right

Due to the lack of dental education and professional dental care, Malians often face serious dental infections.  In many cases these infections cause a slow and painful death. Malians believe in tribal healing and use this as the first mode of treatment.

Camera-shy friends with Jenny Jessen

Having had the opportunity to travel to Mali for the past 4 years, we have learned much about using our time and resources effectively.

The Expedition Group in Mali with new friends

We hit the ground running thanks to the help of Dr. Tom Johnston, Dr. Brandon Tayler and his wife Tami (hygienist), Dr. Shane Jessen and his wife Jenny, Dr. Mike Florence and his daughter Rachelle, Dr. Pearl Burns, myself–Dr. Laurence Palmer and my wife Trudy (hygienist), Nick Smith and the local Malian dentist, Dr. Coulabally.

We were able to install solar panels with the hard work and generosity of Scott & Julie Dixon and Marv Lyon. With these solar panels, the villagers are able to access electricity for the first time in their lives.

Trudy and Laurence Palmer with MANY new young friends!

We lit up the schools, provided computers, and installed DVD / television combos to enhance their education. Thousands of French schoolbooks were donated as well.

It is an amazing expedition and I feel blessed to be part of it.  Each year we witness many miracles as we serve our Malian brothers and sisters.  Next year come join us!

Thanks.

Laurence Palmer, DDS

This year (2012) marked my 14th trip to Guatemala with the Hirsche Smiles Foundation.   After my first trip to Guatemala in January, 1998 I was hooked.  The wonderful experiences I have had, the kindness of the people I have met, and the unique culture I have experienced has been incredible.  Each trip requires a lot of time and preparation.  The personal and family time sacrificed is rewarded with cherished memories.

 In 1999 the Humanitarian Team expanded to include dental services. Originally there were just two dentists who used flashlights for lighting and pillows for patients who lay on school desks for teeth extraction. The team has grown into three groups of dentists and volunteers known as the HSF Humanitarian and Dental Services Team. Dentists now use portable dental equipment that can be moved from village to village and run on portable generators.  The dentists mostly do tooth extractions, but some teeth restorations are possible with the portable dental units. A typical trip consists of visiting 6-8 villages in 4 ½ days.  Several hundred people are screened during that time, and the dentists will extract close to 1,000 teeth and restore close to 300 teeth.

 The areas we have served in Guatemala include the Chiquimula and Quezaltenango areas.  Many of the people whom we serve in the villages and orphanages would not likely get dental care from any other source.  These are life changing services that we hope to continue to provide.

 These trips would not be possible without the many dentists who generously close their practices for a week to give of their talents. Many volunteers also show kindness and selfless acts during our trips.  As for me, I am most grateful to my family, who support me in my ambitions with Hirsche Smiles and the people of Guatemala. 

 I sincerely hope that through continued financial and volunteer support that the Hirsche Smiles Foundation will be able to carry on the vision of service that the late Dr. Blayne and Sandra Hirsche established.

NOTE: Dr. & Mrs. Blayne Hirsche lost their lives in 2002 in a plane crash.  The Foundation started by them has continued in force.

NOTE: This is part of a letter from Blake Bybee to the Academy’s Executive Director regarding activities held by the Student Chapter at USC – there are 53 members in their chapter; it’s dated December 22, 2011.

First of all, we have loved the monthly updates in the Academy Headlines. I’ve had several Academy members talk to me about them. Now to address your request with activities…

Our Academy leadership has set the goal of having three activities every semester. This fall semester was unique in that we ended up having five. We’re trying to get set up on a yearly schedule, which will make planning and funding requests easier. Our funding is primarily from our Dental School Student Body Association, and then our University Graduate & Professional Student Senate. Now that we are a more established and a popular club at our school, we’ve been able to get more funding more frequently. We’ve also made it a priority to send pictures and thank you cards every time we receive our funding.

We have a few yearly activities, and then we fill in the gaps based on Academy needs and student requests. One yearly activity, that we feel is a must, is a club presentation to the new incoming freshmen students. We try to have this meeting early on during the fall semester. We have found that it is easier to get new students involved in the Academy earlier than later due to all of the other clubs and activities. Our next scheduled yearly activity is our beach cleanup. This has been one of our favorites in which families are all invited. The rest of our activities are planned for during our leadership-planning meeting, which we hold at the beginning of each new semester. These include what we call “Lunch and Learns” (this was highlighted in the December Academy Headlines). We provide lunch and either watch one of Gordon J’s or have a guest faculty members speak.

We kicked off this fall semester with a BBQ pool party for Academy members and families, which was hosted by Dr Garret, our Faculty Representative. We invited families and the food was all done by RSVP potluck style. Then we had our opening meeting to the school targeting the new freshmen students. We provided lunch and talked about our goals, showed pictures, and gave a plug for the Clinician’s Report. Our next activity was one that was showcased in the Academy Headlines (newsletter). Very simple, we watched one of Gordon J’s movies and ate tacos.

The next activity was our Beach Clean-up, which I mentioned earlier. Then we had a meeting with a banker from East West Bank who provided details on common mistakes made by recent dental graduates, and also what to expect considering acquisitions, opening new practices, and buy-ins. This was the first of our 3-part installment, which will be followed by a meeting with a dental accountant, and then a lawyer who has represented the dental profession. The other activities that we are looking into for the remainder of the school year include more “Lunch and Learn” sessions as well as a golf tournament. If you have any specific questions on activities or ideas, don’t hesitate to ask….

Now to address your other request. We think that oral hygiene seminars are a great idea; in fact it was something we tried to do last year with little success. Our major hurdle was funding. The school would not give us any funding for this activity due to “liability issues.” Perhaps it was the request that was in connection with the Crest Oral B student fundraising program either way, it didn’t seem the like the school was very excited about it. We still feel we can do basic presentations to scouts or YM/YW groups, just without hygiene kits.

I hope this email has been somewhat helpful and not just long. Do not hesitate to contact me with questions or comments.

Arriving at the gates, I check my watch: 7am, right on time.  Dozens of children and their parents already line the sidewalks leading into the school’s gymnasium, each hoping to be part of the first group admitted for much needed dental care.  There will be even more patients for today’s free dental clinic than last year, but we have come prepared.  In the early Saturday morning light, Dr. Harris Done unloads the dental equipment from his trailer, the volunteer group assembles the clinic stations, and within thirty minutes, the mobile dental clinic volunteers of AYUDA, Inc. will be ready to do what they do best.  Service.

Today’s clinic is not unusual.  Every year, the University of Southern California (USC) AYUDA volunteers hold at least eleven mobile dental clinics throughout southern California, and one or two international clinics in underserved areas of Central America.  Under the direction of Dr. Done, and with the generosity of individual and corporate sponsors, volunteers annually provide nearly $700,000 of free dental care to over three thousand children and adults.

Dental students clad in University of Southern California scrubs, local dentists and specialists, dental hygenists, and volunteers all graciously give of their time and talents to provide free dental services to underserved populations in southern California and beyond.  AYUDA means “help” in Spanish, and I find myself wondering if today’s dental clinic is what was envisioned by President Spencer W. Kimball when he founded AYUDA over forty years ago.

Outside the AJUDA Clinic

Years of discussions by physicians and educators working together to improve the lives of underserved populations in Latin America led to the formal founding of AYUDA, Inc. in 1967.  AYUDA’s first project was in Guatemala, where it created the country’s first rural junior high school, built a hospital and dental clinic, revolutionized their agricultural system, and provided universal immunization to over 30,000 children living in Guatemala.

Today, dentists from all over the country join forces with USC dental students and volunteers to carry out AYUDA’s monthly local and international mobile dental clinics.  We are unified in a common cause; we serve our fellow man with the talents we have been blessed with, helping those who cannot help themselves.  We see as many patients, and save as many teeth as possible.  And we have fun doing it!

A quick survey of the room reveals that everything is ready.  Dr. Done reviews the day’s agenda with four volunteer attending dentists, as the eighty USC dental students in attendance eagerly await instructions.  No tangible incentive or compensation is given to these volunteers, but they faithfully and consistently show up, ready to lend a hand to kids in need.

The elementary and middle school aged patients enter the gymnasium with medical history in hand.  First stop: the Screening Station.  A comprehensive examination including digital radiographs is completed, the patients are diagnosed and treatment planned.  The Anesthesia Station is the next stop for the majority of the patients, where they are anesthetized and a rubber dam placed.  Patients are seated, and receive interceptive restorative and palliative care in one of the ten operatories of the Treatment Area, equipped with handpieces, instruments, supplies, suction, and lights.

With electricity, a high-powered compressor, a roll of duct tape, and a little luck, the operatories don’t get a break until the clinic ends in the late afternoon.  Patients then receive oral hygiene instructions, and a “goody bag” before being discharged into the care of their parents.

AJUDA Clinic

And then as quickly as the dental clinic was set up this morning, it comes back down.  Volunteers wipe the sweat from their brows, and explain why they came today, sharing success stories of what they were able to do and see.  “I learned so much,” “I was able to save two teeth for a boy who has never been to the dentist before,” “I came today to give back, but I think I ended up getting more out of it than I gave,” “I extracted a tooth for a girl who had to miss school because of the pain from infection,” “I had so much fun!”

Dental service through the AYUDA program offers a rewarding experience to each and every participant.  As a dental student the chance to reach beyond myself was invaluable, serving my brothers and sisters in my own community gave me a foundation of service that will influence my perspective for years to come.  The attending dentists are pleased in knowing that their direction and support have enabled great acts of service.  We are all grateful for the blessing of interacting with spiritual and professional giants while serving in the ranks of AYUDA volunteers.  And the countless children we have been fortunate to meet have each taught us that we can all serve one another with love.

Volunteers and generous sponsors make the services of AYUDA possible.  As a private non-profit humanitarian dental, medical and educational organization, AYUDA’s mission is to be actively engaged in improving and sustaining the oral health of people in underserved areas of the world.  Formally founded in 1967, AYUDA helps promote health education and social betterment by providing assistance through treatment, training and education.  Today, teams of dentists and volunteers travel at their own expense to treat and educate a multitude of deserving people in Belize, Nicaragua, Costa Rica, Mexico, Chile, Peru, Bolivia, Paraguay, Russia, Ukraine, Cambodia, and Kenya.  To date, AYUDA clinics have treated over 210,000 patients.  These projects which influence hundreds of thousands throughout the world are all supported by generous individuals and organizations, which make the services of AYUDA possible. To donate, please visit www.ayuda-inc.com or email harrisdone@aol.com.

Contact CR Dentistry Cruise Department, Cruise & Travel Masters 800-267-0041 or crdentistry@cruiseandtravelmasters.com.  Then to register for the Dentistry Update or Office Manager Courses, call the CR Foundation at 888-334-3200; mention you are a member of the LDS Academy and receive 15% discount on your tuition.