Dental Mission: Ignite

Throughout the week of June 25-28th, I was able to participate in a Dental Mission with the group Ignite. In this dental brigade we were able to give spiritual teaching, full medical evaluations, diagnostics, medicines, dental check ups as well as dental extractions. We were able to visit four different towns in rural areas of Tegucigalpa Honduras.

We arrived at 8 am and left around 1pm. It was a wonderful experience, the people were vere cooperative and welcoming. The dental group was integrated by a dentist, a hygenist, a nurse that helped us clean the instruments and myself (dental student). I was able to perform 45 extractions throughout the whole dental mission. Being able to reinforce techniques that we had learned in the Clinic of Dental Surgery with Dr. Jorge Martinez, as well as learn new tecnhiques with the dentist in charge. It was a very interesting challenge because at some point we had very difficult patients, limited equipment, and had to work with what we had. I feel I was able to practice, learn and enjoy what the dental mission was all about, and being able to forge connections with patients. At the end we were very tired and I even had some blisters on my fingers from the consecutive extractions but a smile from a little girl made the whole day worthwhile. The patients were very thankful, but the one who should be thankful is me because they gave me the opportunity to keep learning and make of myself the best professional I aim to be.

All the children eventhough some were difficult were the stars that kept us going

It was truly a maginificent experience.