So we went to church a few Sundays ago, and there were 50 North Americans there! We knew they were coming, but we had no idea there would be so many. They all came down for a free dental clinic that they put on every 2 years at the church. Every day for a week these dentists, hygienists and assistants donate their time to give FREE dental care to the community of Roatan. And we're not talking just checkups or cleanings, we're talking filling a mouthful of cavities, tooth extractions, whatever their need is.
They bring down all the supplies and equipment they need to build a mobile dental office. But they also use local beach chairs and cinder blocks, ha ha. It was an impressive site to see!
The future Dr. Ethan getting ready for surgery.
This was the kids' favorite service project, and they got to do all kinds of fun stuff. The doctors had them right there assisting them with all kinds of fun chores and tasks.
I'm pretty sure that is a smile behind Ellie's mask....
Brushing and flossing the kids' teeth...
And even cleaning all the dental tools....the kids kept begging to go back everyday, they were having so much fun!
And of course there was the chore of keeping the kids entertained while waiting for their turn or while their parents are with the dentist by playing a little futbol with them.
Ethan mentioned a few times how this project renewed his interest in a profession in medicine or dentistry. Both the kids said they thought it would be so fun to be dentists after this week. We were so proud that they took such initiative to be there on time every day. They would have to get up at 6:30 every morning to be ready to start at 7:30.
Here is the line down the block for those waiting to get in...I believe they saw over 400 patients from all over the island that week!
And a photo of all the happy volunteers! They were such wonderful people, we were so fortunate to get to hang out with them. Volleyball on the beach became a nightly ritual....so much fun! What a success!! What a great opportunity for our kids to sit at the dinner table and hear these wonderful and successful dentists talk about how doing this project gives them a purpose and really brings home the joy of what they do. "Otherwise this job just becomes about the money, and how boring is that?" said one of them. We made some new friends in Jacob and Joseph Lottie and their wonderful families. This was a great week!!
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