IDP donates dental services to Romanian chorus by Christy K. Robinson During the last week of June, while the patient clinics were for the most part closed and undergoing scheduled maintenance and renovations, and faculty and students skipped out on the heat in favor of cool vacations, somebody was working in the School of Dentistry. Several somebodies. Odie Fontoura, secretary in the radiology department, heard that a Romanian male chorus would be singing in several churches in Loma Linda. She knew that dental care would be not only most welcome, but necessary to these touring music ministers, and she started asking: "How can we help these people?"   Enthousiasmos, a Romanian male chorus, received free dental services.   The answer came in the form of volunteer work from students, faculty, and staff in the International Dentist Program. Ms. Fontoura and Emanuela Alexandroni, SD'00 IDP (a Romanian herself), went to William Seibly, SD'59, PhD, professor of restorative dentistry, and asked if the IDP could open the clinic and help the visiting chorus. When he talked with the student dentists, 16 of them eagerly volunteered, he says. "We did our charts like Clinic With a Heart," says Dr. Seibly, "or IDP's extension of it, anyway. We were stunned when we saw the extent of care needed. Everybody needed something done. We were able to do most of the work in three afternoons," although there were some procedures not possible in the short time available, he said.   Cindy Chen (left) and Karen Lee (right), both SD'99 December, assist and observe Dr. Seibly's examination and diagnosis of a singer's dental needs.   The work included examinations, radiography, prophylaxis, and amalgam or composite fillings over several 3-hour periods. So how does it feel to come to America, tour a beautiful country during the week before its national holiday, sing in four churches within a two-hour period, and take time out from trips to southern California beaches or Disneyland, to go to the dentist?   Asha Vellanki, SD'99 December, examines a choir member under the supervision of William Seibly, SD'59, PhD, professor of restorative dentistry.   "Oh, we are very pleased to be here," said one enthusiastic singer. "Especially to get excellent dental treatment. I am very grateful for the care." Bruce Pence, SD'65, associate professor of restorative dentistry, joked that with the volunteer dental services the chorus received, that IDP workers should be treated to a concert. He should have made his request before the mouths were filled with rubber dams and gauze rolls. However, the choir's leader volunteered on the third afternoon of clinic, "Before we get anesthesia, may we sing for you?" The chorus sang at several Loma Linda churches on Saturday morning, July 3, including collegiate Sabbath School at University Church, and Campus Hill Church, a little after noon. They sang for a vespers concert at Campus Hill that evening.   Enthousiasmos sang at Campus Hill Church on July 3, for the 11:00 service, and at a special evening concert. Their sound was rich and harmonious.   University | Medical_Center | LLU&MC_home | Search | Employment | News_&_events | Academics | Our_mission | Admissions | Registration | Research | Alumni | Student_resources All contents copyright © 2001 Loma Linda University. All rights reserved. Revised March 1, 2001 Send comments and questions to webmaster@univ.llu.edu  URL: http://www.llu.edu