In February 2018 a team from Grace & Holy Trinity Episcopal Church went to the village of Succutz in Belize to run a dental clinic for the children and do eye screening in the local schools. The dental clinic was located at a house next to the school. A local community partner Ms. Chena Galvez lent the group the house. The house was converted into a first class dental clinic thanks to the help of several local supporters as well as a dental team from Savannah, Georgia led by Dr. Steve Acuff.
The dental team consisted of 15 people, including: Dr. Mike Webb, Chair of Pediatric Dentistry as ECU; Dr. David Abbott, part time professor at VCU Oral Health; Rose Alberts, Dental Hygienist and longtime volunteer with this group and MOM projects; three dental students from VCU: Neal Esplin, Carl Lenier, and Chris Wunsch; and one dental hygienist student, Linda Blackburn. The group ran 6 dental chairs. This was possible thanks to two ADEC units that VDA Foundation loaned to the group.
The dental clinic saw a total of 198 patients and provided dental care in excess of $60,000. Over 75% of the children had never seen a dentist. In addition to oral care, the group also gave oral hygiene instruction and provided the children with toothbrushes, toothpaste, and floss for the whole family.
The group also provided eye screening for over 900 children in the local schools and provided glasses for 57 children.
This successful mission would not have been possible without the ongoing support from the VDA Foundation. Thank you!