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Dental Health ProfessionalInformation Packet

Updated November 2011


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Outline

I. Introduction3

II. How to join and help..4Join a Dental Brigade

How to Help: Gather Medication/Supplies

How to Help: Donations

III. How to prepare for the Brigade6Basic Travel Needs

Accommodations and Daily Needs: Room, Board, Attire

Suggested Tools to Bring

IV. What to expect on Brigade..9Typical Brigade Format

Student, Dental Student, and Dental Hygienist Involvement

Brigade Location and Setup

Pediatrics Program

Restorative Care

Instrument disinfecting protocol

Data Informatics

Patient Referral Program

Community Health Care Workers

Testimonial from Dr. Jim

V. Appendix...20Supplies Needed for Brigades & Wish List

Contact Information


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DentalBrigadesHealthProfessionalPacket| 3

Dear Dental Health Care Professionals:

It is our honor and privilege to welcome you to Global Brigades the nations

largest international student movement.

With your time, knowledge, and efforts, you will be changing the world, one

brigade at a time. The change you will make in peoples lives is real. The people

you will meet will thrive because of your leadership and dedication. The most

important step now is the first step to get involved and to make a difference.

Global Brigades incorporates hands-on global health initiatives while respecting

local culture. This is a unique opportunity to apply your education, intellect andcreativity to help the Honduran, Panamanian, and Ghanaian people realize their

dream of escaping poverty and experiencing true development. We encourage

students, volunteers, and health care professionals to use this time to build skills,

networks, friendships, understanding, resumes and a stronger connection to our

global community.

Thank you for your interest and leadership in Global Brigades. As a student-led

movement, this experience and club is exactly what you make it. Ask for more.

Share new ideas. Keep the momentum alive. Wherever this experience takes you

and your team, were here supporting you, every step of the way!

Welcome to the GB family,

ARCHITECTURE.BUSINESS.DENTAL.ENVIRONMENTAL .LAW.MEDICAL.MICROFINANCE.PUBLIC HEALTH.WATER

w w w . g l o b a l b r i g a d e s . o r g

Dr.ShitalChauhanChiefProgramOfficer

CEO&Co-founder

GlobalBrigades

Dr.JennyNajeraMedicalDirector

GlobalBri ades-Honduras

DanielTruongDentalBrigadesProgramLead

GlobalBrigades-Honduras


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How to Join and Help

Join a Dental Brigade

Every dental brigade consists of dedicated student volunteers, medical and dentalprofessionals, pharmacists, and auxiliary staff providing primary health care to

rural communities. The group functions as a mobile medical and dental unit,

setting up small clinics to diagnose and treat patients at no cost. If you have any

interest in joining one of our university chapters on a brigade, we will connect

you with the nearest group whose brigade will coincide with your

schedule. Dental professionals return from the trip having not only served

underprivileged communities, but also having empowered the next generation of

professionals to strive for global access to healthcare. We will provide you with all

necessary information to help prepare you for a successful brigade in an

environment unique to many existing programs.

If you are interested in joining a Dental Brigade, please contact the Dental

Brigade Program Advisors, at [email protected].

Once you have joined a brigade, Global Brigades will need to verify that you are a

licensed practitioner. In order to do so, you must send us copies of your diploma,

valid license and updated passport. For 3rd and 4th year dental students who wish

to participate, please see the Dental Student Involvement section on this packet

for more information. Please scan all documents and submit them [email protected] later than one month before your

departure date. Without these documents, health professionals will not be

allowed to practice in Honduras.

Please note that the local law requires an in-country dentist to accompany all

dental brigades, and that this in-country dentist will assume all medical liability

for treatment received on brigades. We will provide an in-country dentist to join

your brigade; it is not your responsibility to recruit them.

Help to Gather Medications/Supplies

If you cannot attend the dental brigade itself, you can still contribute to our

efforts and make a tangible difference by equipping students with the right tools

for their brigade. In order for this trip to be a success, we ask for the support of


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dental professionals in all fields; it is essential that we have enough medications,

anesthesia, and supplies in order to effectively treat as many people as possible.

As our programs expand, the focus and scope of brigades may begin to differ, and

thus certain brigades may require different supplies. These may be sought from

hospitals, pharmacies, supply houses, pharmaceutical companies, and

individuals. Donations of any kind or questions may be directed to the student

group you are sponsoring. If you are able to donate any medication or supplies,

please ensure that they are non-expired.

For a complete list of needed medication and supply donations, please see the

Appendix.

Donate

Whether or not you are able to accompany us, we appreciate donations. Without

donations from members of the medical community, our brigades would not be

possible. Global Brigades is a non-profit organization, and as such, all donations

are tax deductible.

Be a sponsoro Global Brigades has recently launched a new online fundraising

platform, Empowered.org, where donations can be made to

individuals or groups.

Step 1: Enter the name of the group or individual into the

search bar

Step 2: Select the appropriate brigade you wish to donate

towards and click DONATE

Step 3:After making a donation, you will automatically be

emailed a receipt.

Donate or assist in gathering health-related dental supplies (see appendixbelow)

Assist in pre-trip education, motivational talks at the nearest chapteruniversity

Please see the Appendix for an additional donation wish list.


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How to prepare for the Brigade

Throughout the preparation process, please feel free to contact the Dental

Brigade Advising Team with any questions.

Basic Travel Needs

General list of necessities prior to traveling:

Valid Passport which must not expire within 6 months of departure fromthe US

For brigades to Ghana, all volunteers are required to have a Ghanaian visa.Please visit the Ghanaian embassy website for visa application instructions

and fees:

http://www.ghanaembassy.org/index.php?page=visas

Required vaccination Ghana: For brigades to Ghana, proof the yellowfever vaccine is required.

Recommended vaccinations Central America: Hepatitis A, typhoidfever, up-to-date standard vaccinations (e.g. Hepatitis B and tetanus), and

Yellow fever (Panama only Recommended zone). Please visit the CDC

website for current information on vaccinations:

http://wwwnc.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/honduras.htm#vaccines

Malaria prophylaxis to be taken 1-2 weeks prior to departure and asdirected by your local travel clinic. Travel clinicians will recommend thetype of prophylaxis best suited for your personal and travel needs.

Any prescription medication currently taken $38.00 exit fee to depart Honduras and about $50-$100 for souvenirs A cell phone is not necessary. Please contact your cell phone provider for

details for international service.

Emergency contact information: Upon your arrival to Honduras, Panama,or Ghana, Global Brigades will send an email to your emergency contact,

notifying them that you have arrived safely. This information will be

collected via your club president before your departure.

Accommodations and Daily Needs: Arrival, Room, Board, Attire

Welcome to Global Brigades! Upon your arrival you will be met by a Brigade

Coordinator at the airport who will guide you to your bus, organize your luggage,

help you to exchange money and get you on your way to our accommodations.


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Our accommodations are about one to three hour away from the airport

depending on your brigade country. Once you arrive, you will participate in an

afternoon activity. After dinner, we will begin an introduction to the country your

program is in and address any questions you may have at that point.

We will always try to provide health care professionals with quarters that are

separate from students, however during busy brigade seasons this may not

always be possible and therefore we ask that you be flexible. When possible,

health care professionals will be placed with other health care professionals. A

twin bed including sheets and a pillow will be provided along with a towel. If you

require any additional items, please bring them with you. Running water is

available in all accommodation sites, but it is often cold and has low pressure.

Bottled water for drinking will be provided. Breakfast and dinner will be

communal and served buffet style at the compound where you will be staying.Packed lunches will be provided in the community at the brigade site. If you have

any special dietary needs or restrictions, please inform your group leader in order

for our in-country staff to plan accordingly.

Your brigade will travel to the brigade sites each morning and return before

nightfall. All traveling is done as a group in buses or trucks. Global Brigades

ensures that each compound is safely secured by providing armed security

around the clock.

Honduran and Panamanian climate is characterized by two distinct seasons - dry

and rainy. The dry season lasts from November through April and the rainy

season from May through October. Suggested attire is light, airy clothing that can

be worn in layers, as the temperature can vary greatly depending on

altitude. Some rain gear is also suggested.

Most health care professionals also bring hospital scrubs to wear during the

brigade. Bring attire that you will be comfortable wearing in warm

weather. Laundry services are also available daily at no additional cost.


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Suggested Extractions Tools To Bring

Dentists are required to bring their own tools on brigades. Here is a list of suggested

tools that are typically used. Dentists are free to bring any other tools they find more

comfortable using. Also, please label your tool set with a colored label to distinguish from

other dentists tool sets.

Upper

Straight elevators 150, 150S central, laterals, canines and premolars 18R, 18L, 88R, 88L for molars 10H for impacted teeth (third molars if completely erupted) 10AS upper molars and wisdom teeth 65 for roots #1 forceps for incisors and canines 99c incisors, canines, and pre-molars

Lowers

Flags and Curved elevators 151, 151S, 137 central, laterals, canines and premolars 16, 17, 23 for molars

Others

Absorbable sutures, Hemostats, and Surgical scissors Osteotomo Curette Bone file Disposable plastic syringes & saline solution Bite block if needed 3-4 syringe of sealant material & portable light cure

Restorative Care (currently only offered in Honduras)

Burs (cylindrical cutters, round and conical of different sizes) Phosphoric acid and bonding with applicators Matrix bonds Vitre bonds for base Composite & Temporary fillings Surgical burs Amalgam capsule Amalgamator or amalgam tablets


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DentalHealthCareProfessional| 9

What to expect on Brigade

Typical Brigade Format

Dental Brigades has treated thousands of patients in hundreds of different

communities in Honduras, Panama, and Ghana. Since most of the people we

treat do not have access to clean water, toothbrushes, toothpaste, or regular visits

with dentist, the services we provide are priceless.

In an effort to become more invested in the long-term health of our communities,

we have teamed up with the Medical Brigades program to provide a more holistic

approach to our communities. In order to be able to provide a larger range of

services and more focused on education, we visit the same community three or

four days in a row for each brigade. Because we will be visiting each community

multiple times rather than seeing all of the patients in a single day, each patient

will spend more time during his or her consultation with a physician and more

time for dental procedures and education as well. With your help, the community

members now will have access to more dental services, including fillings to help

restore teeth that otherwise would be extracted. Also, dentists are able to provide

patients with referrals to nearby clinics. Community nurses will follow-up on the

care for these patients. Please see Community Health Workers for more

information.

Also within our program, patients will receive education in basic hygiene and

other specific topics, as the smaller volume of patients will allow for more time to

conduct presentations and small educational activities.

As part of the brigade, we input patient information into Open MRS, the patient

management program that we use in our Data Informatics System (DI System).

This information will not only enable us to provide follow-up care, but can also be

used as an assessment tool for analyzing the health of communities as a whole

and for measuring our impact in a given community over time. Patients typically

arrive at a brigade in families. Many of these patients will want to come see adentist for a variety of reason.

The primary complaint is pain, which is typically the result of severe dental caries

and periodontal disease. The majority of these patients want to receive an

extraction; however, we want to offer them fillings for teeth that can be restored.


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DentalHealthCareProfessional|10

Restorative care is one of our initiatives for improving the dental status in our

communities overtime.

For patients, primarily children, who may not need or want to see a dentist, we

offer fluoride treatments along with a dental education program prepared by

brigade volunteers.

Student Involvement

It is important to remember that our highest priorities are the health of the

community and the experience of our students. It is important that students not

only enjoy their in-country experience, but also gain knowledge in the process. In

addition to providing care to our patients, you will act as a teacher to our

students. If you have questions or are unsure how to prepare for this role, we willbe more than happy to offer guidance. As a professional participant, you will

have an amazing opportunity to interact with students and guide young aspiring

professionals.

During brigades, unlicensed volunteers cannot perform any procedures or unload

syringes but will have a chance to observe and learn from licensed dentists. These

precautions ensure that neither the volunteers nor the patients will be at risk.

Dental Students Involvement

1st and 2nd year dental students are able to provide fluoride treatments, cleanings

and education for the children within the community. This pediatric element is

an important and sustainable aspect of our program. Student volunteers also may

assist in this process.

3rd and 4th year students may only partake in providing extractions, fillings,

scaling, and applying sealants if they submit a letter from the professor or dean of

their dental school stating that he or she has passed the course involvingextraction and fillings. Please scan this document and send it along with the

dental students passport to [email protected] later than a

month before your brigade.


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Dental Hygienist Involvement

Dental Hygienist will be able to work side by side with the dentist and help assist

them in the procedure they are performing. The can also help with scaling for

those patients who dont need fillings or extraction, provide fluoride treatments,

and most importantly, dental education for the children.

Brigade Location and Setup

The physical site of the dental brigade and details of setup will vary depending on

the community and available resources. Most often, the site will be a school or

church in the community. Spatial areas or different rooms will be designated for

distinct functions, includes the Dental Brigade and the other Medical Brigade

stations. Below is the patient flow chart of a typical brigade format:

For Dental Brigades, a room will be designated where we will create a makeshiftdental clinic using the materials in the schools, our restorative unit, and our other

supplies. Within the room, there will be specific areas where extraction tools,

supplies for fillings, and solution for cleaning instruments will be arranged.

The rest of the brigade operates similarly to a traditional hospital. Patients will

transition from intake to triage to medical consultation to a dental consultation

(if necessary) and ultimately the pharmacy. While waiting for their prescriptions


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to be filled in the pharmacy, adult patients will attend a public health education

workshop while pediatric patients will partake in a dental education program.

During this, children will receive a fluoride treatment along with materials and

demonstrations for proper teeth brushing and dental hygiene. After receiving

their medication, all patients will turn in their patient sheet to students entering

the information into the database.

Dental Brigades is currently working to create and encourage a more sustainable

level of care for our communities. Before being treated, each patient is given a

form that records demographic information, vital signs, complaints, diagnoses,

and prescription information.

Intake: The first station passed through is intake. Volunteers from the

community will be responsible for operating this station and filling out the basic

information in the section of the patient intake sheet shown below:

*Please note that the patient sheet travels with the patient until after they have received their

medication.

Triage:After intake, patients pass to triage, where they relay their symptoms/

ailments to volunteers who:

Take blood pressure for all patients Weigh children under 12 Take temperature of children under 12 and those who complain of a fever Gather information about medication and current health conditions


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Consultation: This station is comprised of health care professionals, and

interpreters when necessary. Health care professionals consult, diagnose, and

then prescribe medication best suited for each individual patient. Please note that

local law requires an in-country doctor to accompany all medical brigades, and

that thisIn-country doctor will assume all medical liability for

treatment received on brigades.We will provide an in-country doctor to

join your brigade; it is not your responsibility to recruit them.

Dental Room: This station is comprised of dental health care professionals who

attend to patients who wish to receive dental services. The dentist will perform a

routine consultation to determine which procedure the patient should receive:

extraction(s), filling(s), scaling, and/or sealant. Working alongside volunteeringdentist will be a local dentist. The local law requires a local dentist to accompany

all dental brigades;this in-country dentist will assume all medical and

dental liability for treatments received on brigades.

Each dentist will also have 2-3 volunteers assisting with instrument cleaning and

handling as needed. Volunteering dentists have the amazing opportunity to share


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their knowledge and educate both patients and students throughout the whole

process.

Once a proper history is taken, the dentist may begin necessary procedures and

prescribe medication as they feel necessary. Please note: ONLY dentists are

allowed to mark on this part of the sheet:

Public Health Education Workshop (Charla):We realize that education isabsolutely essential in order to truly change the health of any community. To this

end, we have begun to develop a number of presentations on such things as basic

hygiene, dental hygiene, first aid, and nutrition. The patients will be seated in

front of the presenter to facilitate an educational discussion, while their

prescriptions are being filled in the pharmacy. Hygiene packs will also be passed

out at this station (bags of soap, toothbrushes, floss, etc.)

Many of the topics covered in the charla are adult orientated. Because many

patients are children, students will have the opportunity to prepare and present

dental educational skits, activities, and games for children. During the charla,

each child will learn how to properly brush his or her teeth and will receive a

fluoride treatment.

Pharmacy: In this station, prescriptions are filled with the medicine students

have collected for their brigade. A pharmacist oversees this station and answers

any questions that students or patients might have.

Pediatrics Program

As you know, the dental status of a community is really based on many different

kinds of preventative measures from the availability of a toothbrush to education.

Many of the communities we serve are stuck in the same cycle of unhealthy diets

as children, continual spreading of dental caries, which then leads to the need of

teeth extractions as when they are adults. What we attempt to do with this


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program is break this cycle and provide preventative service and education for

the future generation.

Step 1: Sealants

Generally are applied before fluoridation. The process is simple. We first dry

the tooth, and then apply the phosphoric acid for 15 seconds. We then apply

the sealant, and dry with the light cure. On a normal brigade, we will recruit

patients that need or want sealants and apply the solution to newly erupted

back molars that currently have no decay. Sealant materials are on the list of

supplies Dental Health Care Professionals should bring. If you can help

provide these materials, please notify the chapter presidents.

Step 2: Dental Education and Activities

Volunteers will put on a group activity that will allow the community kids to

be involved, engaged, and interested in various dental hygiene topics.

Step 3: Teeth Cleanings

After education, volunteers will continually interact with the children and

teach them how to properly brush and floss their teeth. Volunteers can make

this fun and engaging for the participants

Step 4: Fluoridation

Once the childs teeth have all been cleaned, the child will then dry his or her

teeth and fluoride will be applied via fluoride trays to make his or her teeth

stronger and more protected. Generally, the Reyes Irena girls will provide this

treatment. Students are able to do this under the supervision of a licensed

dentist.

Step 5: Data Informatics Input

To follow the current dental status of the communities we serve, we will be

utilizing the DI system which will help us keep track of our pediatrics patients

and analyzing the trends over time.

Restorative Care

It is important to focus on the long-term goals of sustainable dental health

through restoration and dental education. Fillings are important to community

members because it allows them to maintain their teeth rather than extracting

them. Patients who come to a brigade for fillings know that maintaining and

taking care of their teeth is important to their health. While extractions may


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alleviate acute pain that they have had to endure since they last saw a dentist, this

cycle continues as dental caries spread to the patients other teeth. This will

eventually lead to severe tooth decay and the toothache will reoccur. To break

this cycle, we must begin to encourage restoration and maintenance of healthy

teeth so that eventually we will see a decline in extractions and an increase in

both restoration and routine cleanings.

In an effort to bring about these changes, we hope to offer the restorative

portable unit to all groups on at least one day every brigade.Note that this

service is only available to groups going to Honduras.We are currently

still collecting donations to purchase units in Panama and Ghana. If you are

interested in making a donation to help support this project, please contact the

Dental Brigades Program Lead, Daniel Truong

([email protected]). Below are the specificities of the unit in

Honduras:

DHD-130 Deluxe Portable Dental Unit

4-hole/2-hold instrument hose 2pc

3-way syringe 1 pc Low volume evacuation 1 set Self contained water supply 1 set Self contained oil-less Compressor (580 watts) 1 set 110 Volt or 220 Volt 7 L tank capacity High Speed Hand-piece

Light Cure

Patient Dental Chair

Generator for communities with no power and also in an event of a blackout

NOTE: Suction works on the majority of units but can overheat the unit when

using the high-speed piece at the same time. Therefore, the use of suction is

possible, but may be compromised during brigades.

Instrument Disinfecting Protocol

In the dental station, it is important to disinfect all instruments that are used

after procedures. Unfortunately, we do not have the supplies to auto-clave the

tools used; instead, we use a set of solution for disinfecting instruments.


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Instruments are submerged in Sporox (7.5% hydrogen peroxide solution without

glutaraldehyde), bleach, and water for 5-7 minutes in each solution, respectively.

It is recommended that each dentist bring his or her preferred tools to increase

instrument availability.

Data Informatics

December 2011 marks the beginning of a new chapter for Dental Brigades. Our

electronic medical record system, which has been implemented on all medical

brigades since December 2010, is now fully functional for Dental Brigades and

will be incorporated on each from here on out. The benefits of Data Informatics

are numerous - not only will we be able to analyze health trends within our

communities, but we will have the ability to track patients over time, to follow-up

on previous conditions and offer better, more personalized dental care.

We have adapted the OpenMRS system, designed by Partners in Health, to

function with our brigade model. Currently, we are using student computers to

collect information primarily in the exam room with the students working along-

side providers as data-entry clerks. Your role as a provider will be to work with

the patient as well as the student to make sure that information is entered as

accurately as possible. Paper forms will still be used for the time being as a back

up in case of system glitches and are still the only records used in the pharmacy

(OpenMRS does not yet have a pharmacy module that is compatible with our

brigade model). If you have any questions about the Data Informatics System orwould like more information, please contact the Data Informatics Program Lead,

Kimberly Hanson ([email protected]).

Patient Referral System

A commonly asked question of many Dental brigaders is in regards to the process

of follow-up care after a patient leaves the brigade. Global Brigades Patient

Referral System helps to ensure that patients who require additional medicalattention are cared for after a brigade.

While on a brigade, an in-country physician identifies a patient who needs some

kind of follow-up care and writes a referral for that patient to visit their nearby

health center or hospital. With this referral sheet, the patient is guaranteed to be

seen and is advised to go seek the medical attention within a couple weeks after

the brigade. A full-time staff member is dedicated to facilitating the referral


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system process, and checking in with patients after their initial visits to the health

centers. All referrals are entered into the data informatics system providing us

with the ability to track and monitor the patient. In addition, accompanying each

medical and dental brigade is a staff member responsible for responding to

emergency cases. If there is an emergency case on a brigade, the patient is

transported from the brigade site to the appropriate location to receive the

necessary care.

Funding for the Patient Referral System is provided by the Community

Investment Fund (CIF), which is included in each volunteers program donation.

However, many costs exceed the current funds allocated by the CIF. We actively

seek student involvement to fundraise and solicit donations for these patients to

bring them the care they need. The additional care provided by the referral

system promotes a more sustainable health care system for our patients.

The referral process will be discussed further with health care professionals upon

arrival in country. Note: the in-country doctor and dentist is the only professional

who can write a referral. If you have specific questions, ideas, or concerns, about

the referral program please contact Referral Program Lead: Jennifer Grasso

([email protected]).

Community Health Workers Program

Global Brigades also sponsors the Community Health Workers (CHW) Program,

known as Guaridanes de Salud. The CHW Program currently partners with

communities in Honduras to provide intensive health worker training to elected

community leaders. The program was created to empower local leaders to

perpetuate a consistent level of health care and improve access to medical and

dental services inside rural communities. The program also provides CHWs with

the knowledge to provide adequate follow-up care between medical brigades and

prevent potential health complications.

The CHWs are trained through a 3-month course featuring a health promoters

curriculum based on the well-known training books, Where There Is No Doctor,

and Helping Health Workers Learn. Supplemental information for these

trainings is taken from the Honduran Ministry of Health. Topics of the course

include first aid, tropical diseases, STDs, family planning and nutrition. The

CHWs learn how to track the health status of community members and to teach

them about preventive health measures. Each member is taught how to give basic


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treatment for acute diseases, to manage medication for chronic illnesses, and to

refer complicated cases to the next level of care. This program has shown the

capacity and importance of having trained CHWs in the communities. This

program is currently looking to implement a dental aspect within the curriculum

and is currently developing this initiative.

The CHW Program is a way to bring more sustainability to the communities in

which we work through educating community members on how to maintain a

consistent level of health care. It helps to ensure the good we are doing during

Medical Brigades is being perpetuated after we leave by promoting the

prevention of future health complications and for the follow-up care of chronic

patients. For more information about the Community Health Workers Program

please contact the Program Coordinator, Jennifer Grasso

at [email protected].


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Appendix

Testimonial from Dr. Bruce Chan

My trip to Honduras

I just got back from a mission to Honduras with the Global Brigades--the largest

student run health organization in the world.

If you want to do something that makes you feel good about the future of the

planet, the young people and yourself, you may want to support or participate in

this organization--check out their website.

Several months ago, by daughter who is at USC, asked if I wanted to go as part ofthe team and I immediately said yes. The team evolved into 50 students, one

internist, one ENT doctor, and me. The students had funded themselves

individually, and amassed a huge supply of medical goods and clothing and

toys. We flew into Honduras the day after New Years and were taken by bus to a

compound with dorms and meeting areas, along with separate quarters for the

docs. An orphanage of around 150 children was adjacent, and the students went

over with toys and were immediately surrounded by children starving for

attention--clinging to legs and throwing themselves into the arms of the students.

Most of the orphans lived in groups of 12 with one nanny and were unlikely to

ever be adopted.

The next day, after a hearty breakfast of eggs and beans and juice, we were taken

by armed caravan to a mountain village, where another brigade of engineer,

architecture and public health students designated a home to have a

concrete floor placed, to help control parasitic disease. The students set about

leveling the floor, mixing concrete and pouring. At the end of the day, the three-

room house was done, and the exhausted students were taken back for a dinner

of fried chicken. In the evenings, the students would pack and organize

medications and all the donated goods, and then socialize. We three docs retiredto our porch and relaxed. All in all, the conditions were clean and comfortable

and basic. And very secure with government soldiers surrounding the camp. The

weather was very mild and very little bugs.

The next four days, we went by caravan to a small village school. On arrival, we

were greeted by long lines of patients, some of who had been walking with their

children for over 4 hours to get here. We divided into teams for triage, medicine,


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dentistry and finally pharmacy--the final stop where medications and clothing

and toys were distributed, according to need. We also had two Honduran

physicians and one Honduran dentist.

We set up chairs and tables as best we could, and set out our donated

instruments and supplies and went to work with the brigade students

helping. We had long lines that seemed never ending and began limiting the care

to one extraction per patient, generally the one causing them pain. Those that

needed more would sometimes walk home for hours and return the next day. The

patients were very appreciative and very stoic.

We were amazed at how the children would come in on their own, point to the

tooth they wanted out and sit quietly while we numbed them, and they did the

work. We thought they were very mature for their age and had a very tough

existence.

I generally only had time for a 20-minute lunch, as we were trying to get as many

people seen as possible. The Honduran dentist was remarkable, very committed,

very fast and very modern. The Brigade hired him and one of the physicians. The

other physician was doing his mandatory year of community service.

This went on for three more days, and we became more and more efficient as the

brigade caught on. The docs were pretty sore at the end of each day and really

enjoyed the porch after dinner.

These fellow docs were great guys. We were all about the same age and instantly

connected. On one night, a folkloric was presented and we were taken to another

compound. I was astounded by the amount of students gathered here--from five

universities across the United States. After the cultural event in this huge tent,

they bought out the dance music and lights and the kids partied with much

dancing and school chants.

These were great kids I met, unbelievably bright, passionate and committed. I

got to know many of them and was impressed at the kind of young people thiscountry is putting out there.

On the flight home, I sat next to a executive from a local news channel, and I told

him that every day of every week their are thousands of young people trying to

make the world a better place, and this was the untold story. He agreed, but said

that sort of news did not sell.


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I think it might. Good start to a good year.

Brian Chung D.M.D.

Oral and Maxillary Surgeon

USC January 2011 Brigade


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Supplies Needed for Dental Brigades

Below is a list of supplies that are needed in order to run a successful brigade.

Dental professionals are encouraged to help student volunteers obtain these

supplies, especially the ones that require a dental professional to obtain.

Supplies (* need dentist to obtain)

Amount for threebrigade days withone local dentist

Per additionaldentist

Lidocaine 2% or Septocaine 4%* 6 boxes 1 box

Non-epinephrine injection 3%* 3 boxes 1 box

Short dental infiltration needles (30G)* 300

Long dental infiltration needles (27G)* 300

Prophy paste or large tubes oftoothpaste

6 tubes

Topical analgesic with cotton-tipped

applicators*

2 bottles

Fluoride gel/foam 1.23%* 6 bottles

Fluoride trays (size XS, S, M) 600 (~200 each size)

Absorbable sutures* 1 box of 10

Disposable scalpels* 10

Sealant Material* 2-3 syringes

Hydrogen peroxide 1 bottle

Alcohol swabs or alcohol with cottonballs

1 box

Sharps container 1 big or 2 little

Gauze sleeve (2x2 non-sterile) 10-12 sleevesSurgical masks (ear-loops preferable) 1 box of 50

Dental bibs 400

Sterilizing spray or wipes (Cavi wipes,Lysol, etc.)

2 tubes

Toothbrushes 900

Tubes of toothpaste (small) 900

Dental floss 900

Goggles 6 pairs

Large surgical drapes 6 2 additional

Ziplocs prepackaged with 4 gauze pads 300

Dental puppet/mouth to demonstrate 1Box of tissues 2 boxes

Duct tape 2 rolls

Hand sanitizer 3 bottles

Small gloves 3 boxes

Medium gloves 3 boxes

Nitrile gloves 3 boxes

Large gloves 3 boxes


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Heavy duty gloves (dishwashing) 3 pairs

Scrub brush (dishwashing scrubber) 3 brushes

Extraction tools, including hemostatsand scissors

As available

BP cuff and stethoscope 1 set

Extra Donations and Wish List

Dental Brigades is continually trying to expand the program in many ways, and if

you have some items that you wish to donate, or know someone or a company

that may be of help please let us know! Below is a list of things we are

consistently trying to gather.

Composite Phosphoric acid Bonding Amalgamators Amalgam Portable Curing lights Portable x-ray panoramic Pressure pots for sterilization Sterilizing liquids Extraction tools Syringes Burs (especially diamond) Goggles (or other eye protection) Headlamps or overhead lamps Extension cords Power strips Portable dental chairs Portable units & compressors Suction pumps Larger mirrors (for looking at restorations) Spanish educational posters/pamphlets/videos


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Contact Information

Honduras

Program Lead

Daniel Truong [email protected]

In-country Lead Dentist

Dr. Fernando Estrada [email protected]

Program Adviser

Nicole Coalson [email protected]

Brianna Clarke [email protected]

Erin Rudegeair [email protected]

Kathleen Schmitt [email protected]

Brigades Coordinator

Karla Platzer [email protected]

Elizabeth Sophy [email protected]

Data Informatics Program Lead

Kimberly Hanson [email protected]

Patient Referral Program Lead

Jennifer Grasso [email protected]

Community Healthcare Worker Program Lead

Dr. Bruce Flores

Jennifer Grasso [email protected]

Panama

Program Lead

Oscar Valencia [email protected]

Program Adviser

Jeff Thompson [email protected]

Ghana

Program Adviser

Solomiya Teterichko [email protected]