Smile Clinic hosts first of eight dental clinics

The San Pedro Smile Dental Clinic at Holy Cross Anglican School has been in operation for the past six years and each year, they host several dental missions on Ambergris Caye. Between the 27th to the 31st of October, the clinic hosted the first of eight dental clinics for the 2014/2015 school year. The fist mission saw two volunteer dentists from the United States of America (USA), who with the aid of volunteers on the island, attended to approximately 125 students.
Head of the Smile Dental Clinic on Ambergris Caye is Doctor Mark Johnson who indicated that the two volunteer doctors are his past classmates. Dr. Johnson explained that for the most part, some of the dental patients are repeat patients while there are a few new ones this year. “We are trying to teach children that it is healthy to visit the dentist and they don’t have to wait until they have a pain. They should have their teeth checked and cleaned by the dentist two times a year,” said Dr. Johnson.
The two dental specialists are Kathleen Hubert and Joann Borass from Minneapolis, Minnesota, USA. During the course of their clinics, they are performing several dental procedures. “We have a full clinic here and we are doing all faucets of dentistry. We are cleaning, treating gum disease, removing decay, placing fillings and some extraction. Some of the kids enjoy coming to the dentist and so when they are done, they each get a toothbrush, floss, toothpaste and a small gift,” highlighted Dr. Johnson. Working along with the two doctors are Bonnie Musbach, Elizabeth Hudson and Norma Chin who live on Ambergris Caye.
During the clinics, the Belizean volunteers assist with teaching students about the importance of keeping their teeth healthy and strong. According to Dr. Johnson, over the past few years the condition of the student’s teeth at Holy Cross Anglican School has improved significantly and the education component they receive while waiting for their turn to see the dentists has played a very important aspect of dental education.
The second clinic will be held from the 8th to the 14th of November at Holy Cross Anglican School. The clinics are free and open to all Belizean students from all over country.