As many of you know, I am a big supporter of several charities, including CASA of Los Angeles and One World Stage & Screen. I am so proud that the passion for giving back is something that my children share. My daugther, Katie, is extremely busy with dental school, but she finds time to give back – not only locally, but also in places throughout the world – through her participation in the Dental Humanitarian Outreach Program. The work this group does is amazing, and this week I asked her to share it with you.
Hi again! I am Mary Beth’s daughter, Katie, and I’m in my fourth year of dental school. For the past two years, I have been lucky to participate in my school’s Dental Humanitarian Outreach Program (DHOP), through which I had the opportunity to travel to the Philippines and Belize (see a video of last year’s trip) to provide free dental care to underserved communities.
This year a group of 50 dental students and faculty are traveling to Cambodia to provide free dental care to more than 200 patients! Many of these patients have never seen a dentist and travel many hours to get to our dental clinics. At the clinics, we work long days (early morning until late at night) and do many different types of procedures, including cleanings, oral hygiene instructions and restorations. We are often able to do most, if not all, of these patients’ dental care.
Many of the patients we see have cavities on teeth throughout their entire mouth, including their front teeth. Untreated cavities may also lead to infections in the patients’ bone, necessitating root canals or extractions. Without proper dental care, these patients often end up losing some of their teeth and start wearing partial dentures at young ages, even as teenagers. Therefore, the oral health care that we provide to these patients can be life-changing.
We also take great pride in teaching the patients proper oral hygiene instructions so that they may be informed about their oral health and take better care of their teeth long after we’re gone. It is our goal, with each of the patients we see, to alleviate any dental anxiety they have, offer a positive dental environment and take care of their dental needs at the same time.
We hope that we’ve made a lasting impact on the patients we’ve seen and are excited to treat many more to come! DHOP is a student-run organization, and we work hard all year long to raise funds for the supplies and equipment for our clinics. If you’d like to help with those efforts, please visit our fundraiser page.
Also, this year in an effort to raise the funds needed to take our free oral care clinic to Cambodia, we are selling discounted electric toothbrushes and dentist strength white strips (normally you can only get these in dental offices). All proceeds for sales go toward clinic supplies and equipment! If you’re interested, just email me and I can ship them to you!
Such good work you are doing 😀. My mother is a retired hygienist and worked for many years for Dr, Ron Lamb that formed an organization in the early 90’s called World Dental Relief and has traveled hisself to such places as you’ve mentioned to provide dental care and I know he still ships supplies to organizations such as yours! Keep up the good work, dental hygiene is such an important part of our lives and so many are doing without!
To Katie and the Team, I applaud you. How wonderful to share your talents and to give your time to those in need. You will definitely have left a lasting impact already and the people of Cambodia, who have such beautiful souls, will benefit so much! This is the human spirit at its best! Bless you all 🙂
What a wonderful program! Thank you Katie for sharing your story and your fundraising page.
You are such a remarkable woman Katie, in helping people in need. I bless and cherish people who help and give all they can. Your mom raised you to be responsible and a very helpful young lady. God bless you and your team. 😁
This is a brilliant program to help those in need. Congratulations on the example set Katie. We can all contribute in our own way. It might not be on a scale as this but each small contribution helps. This is helping in a large way and a great sign of the values you were bought up with. Thank you for sharing these kind of stories with us.
Well done Katie. The outreach you are doing will have a significant impact on many lives and no doubt will leave a lasting impression on you as well. We all have the capacity to give back, whether it is in a big way such as this or in a smaller way back home. Even local charities will appreciate dental donations. That way we can all play a part.
Your participation is a great reflection of the values you grew up with. Well done.
Great job Katie! Using your time and talents to bless those less fortunate! As they say, the apple didn’t fall far from the tree! Your mama taught you well! #givingback #helpingothers #humbleandkind
I think the work that you are doing is fantastic Katie! Dental care is something we definitely take for granted in the United States, and you and the others who go on these trips are making a huge impact on the lives of all you help! Thanks for sharing!
You’re taking all those brains and inner beauty and paying it forward…you’ll be changing lives every day, Katie girl. So proud of you! xo
Katie, such a wonderful thing that you and your fellow students are doing!…you’re an amazing young woman with a beautiful heart just like your sweet mom!
Great work Katie!! You’re definitely a chip off the ‘ol block as they say! 😉