This February my daughter, Michelle and I joined a fantastic group of dental professionals, students and lay volunteers on a dental mission to Guatemala. Our mission was organized by KIA (Kindness in Action), a Canadian dental non profit organization that travels to numerous destinations worldwide.
Our travels took us to the Chisec region in central Guatemala where we worked in various villages nestled amid beautiful mountains and lush vegetation. Unfortunately 56% of the population lives in poverty, many without proper sanitation, running water or electricity. Health care is a rare luxury for this population.
Our team of 30 was able to triage and treat well over 500 patients in the span of four clinical days, offering services in the form of cleanings, restorations and extractions. The experience of offering care to a tremendously under serviced population left us feeling grateful and appreciative of what we were able to accomplish and will hopefully make a different to the wellbeing of many.
