Presented by: Burton Coleman &Punit Shah

Burton Coleman: UTHSC College of Dentistry, 2012

Punit Shah:University of Detroit Mercy School of Dentistry,

2013Recent Outreach Experiences: Guatemala May/

August 2011

In La Reforma, Guatemala Been 4 times to date, twice a year

A few pictures:

Pros: Eye opening experience Potential to learn a lot beyond what you might

learn in clinic Changing peoples lives (cliché but personally

my appreciation for dentistry grew exponentially)

Fun Cons:

Expensive (~$1300 - $1500) Need support (faculty, locally, etc.)

Just do it. PLAN EARLY! KEEP THE END IN MIND & DON’T GIVE UP REWARD IS WORTH THE EFFORT

Need a place to go (Mr. Obvious) Need local support (friend, family, faculty,

etc.) Make sure it’s legal to work there Safe (everyone should be comfortable going)

Immunizations and medications: Check on the CDC’s website

Faculty / dentist support: Check with your school’s policy

Enjoy: You’re traveling to another country, save time

to explore and enjoy what they have to offer.

Get together a reasonable sized group (8-10), fewer is better & easier to manage. Ground transportation is usually limited

Attending (faculty/mentor) – sustainable? Native Dentist (facilitate communication,

pt coordination, & legal implications)

Safety of travel to & within country Political climate Tourist destination? Crime? Immunizations – prophylactic meds +

DEET

Volunteerism Listings www.adint.org/international-programs-volunteerism.htm

http://internationalvolunteer.ada.org/

Country by country basis Once you know what country you would

like to visit, contact their governing body to help determine areas of need and existing groups to work with.

Logistically, you will need to establish transportation, food, and lodging

If you are working with an agency, clinic or local dentist this will be much easier

Generally, staying locally will cut down on overall costs.

Don’t automatically write off staying in the community you are treating

By staying within the community, you can establish trust and build relationships that will solidify the future of the program.

If you are coming into a new community you need to think about post-op

Retained root-tips, infection, and miscommunication with the community are the most common reasons trips are not repeated from year-to-year.

Working with the community can establish a presence that can manage the post-op complications if they arise.

Work with the community dentist and the existing clinic for help.

While you will likely have antibiotics in case of travelers GI issues, you will learn more and provide more care if you don’t need them

Plan to have this be your most significant expense once you have arrived.

Prophylactic Pepto Bismol & Imodium PRN Be conscious – water supply

Scrubs, gloves, masks A head lamp is a necessary. Anesthesia + Needles Elevators/Forceps/Root Picks/Cryers/#15/Gut Tongue Blades (exam), plastic bag, gauze,

paper towels Fluoride Tooth Brushes (x1000) Restorative (handpiece, amalgamator?) Glutaraldehyde + Bleach Wipes + EtOH gel

Preventative / Limited / Restorative? No vacuum Biohazard waste (plastic bags)

How many pts will you realistically be able to see? A LOT WILL WANT TO BE SEEN, UNFORTUNATELY, NOT ALL WILL

Coke is cheaper that water Children with permanent 1st molar

extractions (Potentially) Med compromised elderly Referrals (busier 2nd + 3rd day, etc.) Work hard, BIG REWARDS