Dental Program

Reported by Dawn C. Degenhardt

Over the past five years Dr. Steven Henley made  many mission trips to Vietnam and managed to acquire and/or donate enough equipment and supplies to provide dental services to hundreds of children in Saigon – children living in orphanages, institutions and street children projects. None of the children had ever received dental care until Steve arrived. He usually made two trips a year – but the rest of the time the space, equipment and helping volunteers were not being utilized. Our hope was that other dentists would become interested in this project and offer their services – and it began to happen.

In October 2004 I received an email from a young dentist in London who had seen our website – she was inquiring if she and her friend could volunteer in Vietnam for four weeks. They had both recently graduated from dental school and wanted to do a rotation as one of their requirements. Joy responded with a resounding “yes” and began explaining the types of equipment and supplies that we had and what might be needed.

In early February, Dr. Anne Rothera and her friend arrived with additional equipment, supplies and medications to begin their two weeks in Ho Chi Minh City and two weeks in Danang. I have asked Anne to write up her experiences and how she was touched by these children. 

The assistant (holding the flashlight) is Vanessa Degenhardt, age 11, who volunteered when the team was in Saigon. She also acted as the official interpreter.

Both dentists were so pleased and excited with their time in Veitnam that they have returned home with the plan to convince their university in London into providing a steady stream of graduate students to provide dental care on a more regular basis for the children. The following year 11 graduating dentists participated in the dental program from two to four weeks.  Each year there are more dentists signing up and the word has spread to two other universities – one in London and one in Wales. 

Last month Dr. Steve called again and said he was heading to Vietnam in October and wanted a list of needed equipment and supplies. And the program continues to treat children in Ho Chi Minh City, Ben Tre, Danang and Hoi An.

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