Academy of LDS Dentists

      Editors Note:  We have not received anything new about dental projects in the Philipines.  The following material deals with earlier projects.  For current information, contact Doug Jackson with Deseret International.

      Deseret International is initiating dental projects in this country and wants the Academy to work with them.

                                     a.      Will Doug Jackson and Deseret International help us with

                         lodging, local transportation, physical facilities so we can get a

                         project started? We aren’t sure yet.

       b.       Proposed: 3 trips a year for 2 dentists.

             1) Some of the time  at the university.

             2) Some on outtreach:  

                  (Clinical treatment  on  indigents is  scheduled.                   

        c.       Nothing definite is scheduled yet.

        d.       Some participants: Dr. Chris Vernon, former missionary in the   Phillipines who wants to do work there. Likes to do trips with Dr. Lynn Aste.

        e.       Dr. Paul Benson and Dr. Dwayne Zobel went there in October, 2008 to investigate.

                                                a.      The report from Dr. Zobell: My suggestion is that this project be studied carefully to future participation from both Mabuhay Deseret Foundation and the Academy of LDS Dentists. It is a wonderful opportunity that can provide a clear “win – win” for all of the participants involved. There is virtually no language barrier, Dr. De Leon is the type of dental administrator we would all love to have in our corner, and there are endless opportunities to provide needed dental procedures and also help raise the level of dental education in the Fatima Dental College. The trip is one that is physically taxing and an adjustment period of a few days prior to embarking on a rigorous expedition schedule would be necessary. If a large enough group were in place, perhaps those who desire to work on cleft palate procedures, those who have interest in doing a more remote type of expedition, and those who desire to work in the Dental College and provide dental continuing education presentations would all be able to travel together. The Dean would like to have participation with lectures and other continuing education next October, and, with enough advance planning, some clinical outreach could be accomplished as well.