Jamaica: Dental Helping Hands
The DHH team was in Jamaica recently where over 500 patients received essential and life changing dental care.
The purpose of the Dental Helping Hands (DHH) Non-Profit Organization (NPO) is to provide dental services to people who do not have access to dental care, who cannot afford it and who would otherwise not be able to receive treatment. The founders of the organization have a solid mission of giving back to people of our respective communities and countries.
The DHH team was in Jamaica recently where over 500 patients received essential and life changing dental care.
The purpose of the Dental Helping Hands (DHH) Non-Profit Organization (NPO) is to provide dental services to people who do not have access to dental care, who cannot afford it and who would otherwise not be able to receive treatment. The founders of the organization have a solid mission of giving back to people of our respective communities and countries.
Our latest mission took us to St. Ann, Jamaica in the town of Cascade, where Dr. Patrice Smith, her husband Dr. Reginald Baker, Dr. Mark Edwards (Dean of The University of Technology College of Dentistry), Curtis Foster, RDH and a team of 11 dental students from The University of Technology College of Dentistry (UTech COD) and 20 dental hygiene students from Northern Caribbean University (NCU) rendered dental treatment to over 500 patients.
The Dream Team - 3 doctors, 1 RDH, 11 dental students and 20 dental hygiene students
The mission took place at Cascade Primary School
A steady flow of patients waiting to be registered
Dr. Mark Edwards performing extraction procedure of a badly decayed tooth
The DHH team spent a total of 8 hours in Cascade and rendered essential dental care ranging from simple extractions, surgical extractions, dental prophylaxis (cleanings) and scaling & root planing. Patients also received fluoride treatment, toothbrushes, toothpaste and floss to continue at home dental care.
Dr. Baker performing examination
Dr. Smith with UTech dental student as anesthesia is being administered
We always aim is to empower and support the communities we serve by partnering with local dental professionals to share knowledge. By providing communities with education on preventative measures to improve dental health, we honor, support and empower those with less and assist them in becoming self-sufficient. One of our goals is to focus on preventative education while providing patients with a safe environment for necessary care.
Our trip was a success. Exactly 507 individuals received much needed dental care. A huge part of our team’s success stems from individuals like yourself who see a need and donate either time, supplies or money. These donations go a very long way in the lives of the people we serve.
The DHH team is on a mission to not only improve the dental health but the overall quality of life of the lives we come in contact with . We will continue our mission to serve and provide these communities with much needed dental services.
If you would like to join us or donate to our cause, visit our website www.dentalhelpinghands.org and follow us on social media: Facebook and Instagram.
Dental Helping Hands: Who We Are
Dental Helping Hands is a non-profit organization that provides dental health services to underserved communities in developing countries. It all started when three classmates of Howard University College of Dentistry decided they wanted to give back. The group consists of an Oral Surgeon, an Orthodontist and a General Dentist with the heart to share their talents with the world. T
Dental Helping Hands is a non-profit organization that provides dental health services to underserved communities in developing countries.
It all started when three classmates of Howard University College of Dentistry decided they wanted to give back. The group consists of an Oral Surgeon, an Orthodontist and a General Dentist with the heart to share their talents with the world. They volunteer their time and travel to different countries to provide free dental services such as, cleanings, extractions, restorations, treat abscesses and cleft lip and palate repair. Our aim is to empower and support the communities we serve by partnering with local dental professionals to share knowledge. By providing communities with education on preventative measures to improve dental health, we honor, support and empower those with less and assist them in becoming self-sufficient.
Discover your reasons to volunteer
The reasons that people decide to volunteer can be very personal. For some it might be a desire to give back to a world that has provided them with great advantages. For others, there is a longing for an experience quite removed from their day-to-day routine. There are those who simply identify a need or problem and are determined to be part of a solution. Many are drawn by an interest in traveling to new places, meeting new people, and doing something worthwhile at the same time.
From a strictly professional standpoint, short-term humanitarian dental service projects usually have one or two objectives. One is to meet the urgent emergency oral-health needs of a specific group of people—such as a village, a congregation at a site of worship, or a group of local children or orphans. Another objective is to provide education about dental health to similar groups of people.
It is quite common to hear those who have participated in a volunteer project describe it as one of the most rewarding experiences of their lives. From a strictly professional standpoint, short-term humanitarian dental service projects usually have one or two objectives.
One is to meet the urgent emergency oral-health needs of a specific group of people—such as a village, a congregation at a site of worship, or a group of local children or orphans. Another objective is to provide education about dental health to similar groups of people. There is certainly a considerable sense of personal satisfaction and accomplishment that comes with using your unique skills to help others—and doing so under less than ideal circumstances.
Many returning volunteers feel that they have gained much more than they have given because they have attained a greater understanding of different cultures and regions of the world. In sharing their knowledge and ability, they have been able to alleviate suffering caused by dental disorders and they have made new friends in the process.
I hope this inspires you to do something kind for someone, volunteer in your respective communities and perhaps sign up to be a volunteer or even a donor of our organization, Dental Helping Hands. Visit our website to volunteer or donate dentalhelpinghands.org and follow us on Instagram.
Ghana: Dental Helping Hands
Earlier this year the DHH team was in Ghana where over 3000 patients received essential and life saving dental care.
The purpose of the Dental Helping Hands (DHH) Non-Profit Organization (NPO) is to provide dental services to people who do not have access to dental care, who cannot afford it and who would otherwise not be able to receive treatment
Earlier this year the DHH team was in Ghana where over 5000 patients received essential and life saving dental care.
The purpose of the Dental Helping Hands (DHH) Non-Profit Organization (NPO) is to provide dental services to people who do not have access to dental care, who cannot afford it and who would otherwise not be able to receive treatment. The founders of the organization have a solid mission of giving back to people of our respective communities and countries.
Our latest mission took us to Tamale, Ghana on the continent of Africa, where Dr. Rasheeda Johnson and a team of other dental specialists and volunteers rendered dental treatment to over 5000 patients!
The DHH team spent four days in Tamale. On day one approximately 1000 patients registered and received essential dental care ranging from extractions, restorations (fillings), dental cleanings and minor surgery. Individuals of all age ranges were seen including children! For the next three days over 4000 patients received dental treatment, were given shoes, toothbrushes, toothpaste and even laptop computers.
Day one: 1000 patients registered and waiting for dental treatment
Patients seated and waiting their turn for dental treatment
Dr. Rasheeda Johnson and the kids after educating them all on proper hygiene and brushing habits. All the kids received fluoride treatment and a supply toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Dr. Rasheeda Johnson with some of the elders of the community
Dr. Rasheeda Johnson hard at work extracting this gentleman's severely decayed tooth.
Dr. Rasheeda Johnson loves the kids!
“If we want to change the world, we must first develop a bright future for the children”
In four days the DHH team delivered dental care to over 5000 patients! In addition to that over 500 pairs of shoes were donated, 250 toothbrushes distributed, and three University students received a laptop to help with their studies.
The DHH team is on a mission to not only improve the dental health but the overall quality of life of the lives we come in contact with .
If you would like to join us or donate to our cause, visit our website www.dentalhelpinghands.org and follow us on social media: Facebook and Instagram.
Sudan: Dental Helping Hands
The DHH team was recently in Sudan where over 700 patients received essential and life saving dental care.
The purpose of the Dental Helping Hands (DHH) Non-Profit Organization (NPO) is to provide dental services to people who do not have access to dental care, who cannot afford it and who would otherwise not be able to receive treatment
The DHH team was recently in Sudan where over 700 patients received essential and life saving dental care.
The purpose of the Dental Helping Hands (DHH) Non-Profit Organization (NPO) is to provide dental services to people who do not have access to dental care, who cannot afford it and who would otherwise not be able to receive treatment. The founders of the organization have a solid mission of giving back to people of our respective communities and countries.
Our latest mission took us to Sudan on the continent of Africa, where Dr. Patrick Christopher (4th yr OMFS resident) was born and raised. Over a couple days Dr. Christopher was able to visit different cities like Khartoum and Kassala where approximately 700 individuals received dental treatment ranging from extractions (surgical and non-surgical), restorations (fillings), dental cleanings and other surgical intervention.
Dr. Christopher performing extraction of a native woman in pain from tooth decay
Dr. Christopher performing necessary preventive care.
Dr. Christopher and craniofacial team performing a cleft lip and palate repair
Dr. Christopher anesthetizing patient before performing extraction of abscessed tooth
Dr. Christopher performing multiple extractions on a 9 year old.
“Oral healthcare in many developing nations is unfortunately limited to major cities or the upper class. This 9 year old was one of the kids we treated in a rural Sudan city with multiple extractions. As Maxillofacial surgery residents, we have an uncontrollable itch to do major head & neck surgical cases but sometimes it’s the “simple” cases that are worth breaking your neck and back for...literally. ”
Of course, no mission trip is complete without spending time and enjoying the local life. When Dr. Christopher wasn't working, he could be found sight seeing and hanging out with the locals.
Photos below are for your viewing pleasure. Sudan, uncut.
If you or anyone you know would like to volunteer and/ or donate, visit our website www.dentalhelpinghands.org. Also follow us on Facebook and Instagram.