Today we saw over 60 patients! We had all 5 chairs up and running, but also added 2 extraction tables for a total of 7 or sometimes 8 dental stations. It was a crazy day, but we got a lot accomplished. What we have been finding is that when patients come in for a screening, their molars appear to only need a sealant. When we begin to do the enamelplasty for the sealant, the caries are always more extensive than we originally thought. These simple patients turn into complicated restorations, sometimes root canals and even extractions. I was so sad when I had to tell a 22 year old girl that she was going to lose her second molar on the left side due to caries. We tried to save the tooth, but after the preparation, only a thin shell of enamel was left and the tooth had some mobility. We tried to extract the tooth, but during the procedure, one of the cusps broke. She has to return the next day when Dr. Corrales and his wife are here to perform some of the more complicated extractions.
During another extraction case, Hector was saved by the local dental student when the tooth flew out of his forceps and into the back of the girl´s throat. She flung the child forward, smacked her back and the tooth flew across the room. It was really amazing! She saved the girl from aspirating the tooth or getting it stuck in her throat!
In addition to all the patients we saw today, we also taught another oral health class for 15 of the students at the mission´s girl´s boarding school. We examined their teeth and wrote up preliminary treatment plans for the dentist in two weeks and the September group. I think if the September group worked every day for 8 hours, they would not be able to finish all of the work that these 60 girls need. It is so sad, but we can do very little for them at this point because we are all so booked up and we only have one more day left. Tomorrow is extraction day and we have 32 extraction patients scheduled. Luckily, Dr. Corrales and his wife will be here to help! Until then, we all need massages from doing so much stand up dentistry!!!
Dear Stephanie and Team,
ReplyDeleteWe are so PROUD of you!
What a generous gift of time, talent, energy and love you are bringing to the people of Honduras. How fortunate to have the gift wisdom and many years of experience from Dr. Patterson and Dr. Patel.
Lately I have been reading articles about how critical dental hygiene is in preventing other diseases later in life (e.g., heart disease, Alzheimer's disease, cancer, etc.), because gum inflamation can lead to inflamation in the body since the mouth is a portal for bacteria to enter our bodies. Given this, you are not simply saving a beautiful smile, or just allowing for better digestion and absorbtion of nutrients by saving teeth, you are also preventing other diseases later in life.
I am sure the people you are treating go to bed with prayers of thanks on their lips- and I too, will appeal to Saint Apollonia (Patron Saint of Dentists) to keep up your strength.
Blessings to all of you and to the people of Honduras!
Mary Ellen