For the second time in this year, Doctor Pierre Boumerhi and a team of dental volunteers from Pennsylvania, USA visited La Isla Bonita to provide a week of free dental services. The kind dentists were stationed at the Dr. Otto Rodriguez San Pedro Polyclinic II from Monday, December 12th to Friday, December 16th.
During that week, starting from 8AM to 11:45AM and 1PM to 5PM, the group of volunteers provided their services to hundreds of island residents, including children. Many people in San Pedro Town who do not have proper access to dentistry services or cannot afford it, benefited from the group’s generosity. Some of the services provided included teeth cleaning, cavity fillings, fluoride applications and tooth extraction. The Polyclinic was also provided with a donation of useful dentistry supplies for their dental room. Currently the Polyclinic counts with a dental facility, however, it operates with limited resources. The recent donation of provisions is expected to boost the service of the dental clinic.
Dr. Boumerhi, along with his wife Holly Boumerhi, have been active in helping those who do not have access or cannot afford proper dental work. “This is how we give back to the community, by volunteering our services to those who need it the most,” said Boumerhi. Besides Belize, Boumerhi has also volunteered his services in other countries. A few years ago, he helped establish a clinic in Jamaica, which continues providing dental services to its local community. He told The San Pedro Sun that if the opportunity arises, he would love to assist in setting up a dental clinic in San Pedro Town, which would provide great dental service at a low cost to the community. He hopes that with the help from the local authorities the idea can materialize.
The group of volunteers did not only provide their valuable service, they also brought a large amount of clothing for the children of the island. A total of 100 soccer balls were also part of the hefty donation, which they distributed to children in different areas of the island.
After a very busy week, the volunteers will leave the island on Saturday, December 17th. Boumerhi announced their plans to return next year, to continue providing their services to Ambergris Caye. He believes that there is a lot more to be done on the island and many people to help. On their next trip they hope to expand their work and start providing dentures and partials service to patients on the island.
Thank you Dr. Bourmerhi and all the volunteers for your wonderful generosity to La Isla Bonita.
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