LLU School of Dentistry - Dentalgram, August 2000

MEMO: Cochambamba, Bolivia, S.A.

Date: Mon, 10 Jul 2000
From: "Fritz, Ronald E." REFritz@sachs.llu.edu

During reflective moments on this return trip home, I came to the conclusion that, after nearly two weeks in Cochabamba, Bolivia, and headquartered at the Universidad Adventista de Bolivia (UAB), the SIMS dental/medical/public health trip was more than a success: It overflowed with the positive, for both the givers and the receivers, and was filled with the best life has to offer. There were benefits for the people, in the elimination of pain and improving the quality of life; but what the LLU students gained during this experience has no price tag.

The dental team worked very hard, even on our one Sunday there, midway. You would have been very proud of them, trust me. The three freshmen (new sophomores) were giving injections of local anesthetic in all locations (including inferior alveolar), and proceeding with extractions, all by the end of the first day, Tuesday, June 20! Our hygienist, Alma Meza, DH'01, was likewise doing extractions, in addition to her regular duties.

The new seniors really shone, as they taught the others, asking guidance when in doubt, moving ahead with vigor and expedience, as well as showing kindness and love. The people did not expect such compassion and were left in awe by the manner in which the students worked and played, mixing in a natural way with the local University folks.

Our dental clinic was set up in the student infirmary, using a permanent dental chair already there, two chaise dental chairs we brought, and a gurney, for a total of four chairs. Support staff were mainly physical therapy students who had been disappointed by the LLU physical therapy group canceling. Their disappointment quickly turned to enthusiasm as they helped and watched, and even tried some monitored extractions. Two of these women now want to study dentistry as a result of this involvement with the dental team.

Only extractions and consults were done by the student dentists, and Alma was kept busy with her hygiene activities by an overflow of patients. Her love for these people was a giveaway. Her latina heritage also won their hearts very quickly, and she had difficulty Ôcontrolling the crowd' of patients wanting her help. The line out the clinic door, for all of us, never ended. We averaged 50 patients per day resulting in over 100 extractions for each of these days.

The medical team worked off campus, usually at a different location each day. By going in new directions each morning, five areas surrounding UAB were covered with desperately needed medical treatment. Medicines were given for worms and various other conditions on which Gary Harding, MD, can elaborate.

All in all, we were appalled at the need. Indications on the part of UAB faculty and students are that they are very ripe for

1) A permanent SIMS site there, with at least annual or semiannual visits by teams;
2) An affiliation with LLU which may pave the way for exchange programs in the areas of physical therapy, nursing, etc.; and
3) Formation of plans for a Dental Lab Technology program to train young people in that career, patterned after that in Montemorelos, Mexico.

Vice Rector Eduardo Enriquez, MD, assured me that any structural or support needs, such as space, new buildings, staff, etc., are no problem for UAB -- they will willingly provide whenever, whatever is deemed necessary for any of these projects to move forward.

We did not expect to see such a tremendous need in the mouths or in the people of Bolivia. It was shocking to see some of the conditions. A dental presentation was prepared for the parents, so that preventive measures could be instituted. Education can go so much farther than an extraction, as it can help so many people. What's more, the Bolivians were not prepared for what hit them -- caring students who gave freely, willingly, and unselfishly of themselves, during what could have been a vacation somewhere, and instead showing compassion beyond words. This is about as close as anyone can get to what Jesus Christ did while on this earth, as He alleviated suffering.

The tears flowed freely and the heart strings stretched to breaking point, as we left Cochabamba to return. The longer I do this, the more I realize how dentistry, the fingers of that right arm of the Gospel, can get into people's lives and touch them in a way nothing else can.

In thinking about this very meaningful experience, I am reminded of what Dean Hart quoted during the SIMS chapel: "Go to the people. Live among them, learn from them, love them. Start with what they know; build on what they have. And, as with the greatest of leaders, when our work is done, the people will all say we have done it ourselves.

I think we did! And as Kyung reminded us at one morning worship: ÒIt is the heart that makes a man rich. He is rich according to what he is, not according to what he has.

Thank you, J.C. Belliard, Dean Goodacre, and Dean Hart, for allowing us this very special opportunity and experience.

Personal thanks are extended to the dental team by Dr. Fritz: Cristina Do, SD'03, Allen Job, MPH, SD'03, Elizabeth Park, SD'03, Alma Meza, DH'01, James Dawson, SD'01, Jackie Tran, SD'01, and Kyung Chung, SD'01.

Ronald E. Fritz, SD'72, MPH
Dental Public Health
SAC Health System