“Say Cheese!” exclaims the photographer as he snaps a picture.
“Let me see those pearly whites,” he says, trying to coax the slightest hint of a grin out of the young boy.
What does he want? Just one little smile. In society today one’s smile has become quite a big deal. Your smile defines you, it shows others when you are happy, it is plastered on for many a picture, and if kind it can make people open up to you. So, it is no surprise that people have become obsessed with their smiles. Thousands of people get braces and retainers every year to align their teeth, not to mention the countless teeth whitening methods advertised and utilized daily. Dentists see patient after patient to help them take care of their teeth, all this just to perfect their smiles. Yet in many less fortunate countries the practice of basic oral hygiene is rare, and dental care is hard to come by. This summer I was granted the opportunity to help change that.
This past summer I traveled to Arequipa, Peru for two weeks with the Hearts with Hope Foundation on a medical mission. The organization’s main goal is to “provide medical, dental and humanitarian assistance to children with congenital heart disease in the underserved global community.” When I found out that I would be able to accompany the group on this mission I was elated to become more involved with such a noble cause. Upon talking to the mission coordinator I found I would be most effective in developing and implementing a plan in which I would teach the kids we treated on dental outreach missions how to brush their teeth. Before starting this project I had no idea how much of an impact the simple act of brushing my teeth twice a day had on my health. Not only does bad oral hygiene cause cavities, tooth decay, and tooth and gum disease, but it also directly affects heart health. Bad oral hygiene can lead to heart afflictions such as Coronary Artery Disease and Endocarditis, the effects of which are aggravated in children with congenital heart defects, whom the mission mainly aims to help. That was why it was so important for me to teach these kids good oral hygiene.
I set to work creating skits and puppet shows, making a coloring book, and collecting supplies, with which I made kits for the kids. Finally it was time to go. I arrived in Peru ready to fight of tooth decay and gum disease armed with my educational videos, puppet shows, coloring books, and of course my giant toothbrush. Despite all of my preparation I was very unprepared for what was to come.
Our first outreach treatment location was an elementary school about 2 hours away from the city. When we first arrived the town seemed so run-down and desolate that we were almost certain no one would be coming. But soon kids started pouring in. We were only supposed to see around 40 kids that day, as that was the number of children from the school, yet we ended up seeing over 100. The kids of the school along with all of their siblings, and often times their cousins from one or two villages over arrived just to receive this free dental treatment. Each child was medically and dentally examined/evaluated, and his or her prognosis determined our course of action. The child would either get a lesson on good oral hygiene, receive a fluoride treatment (done by yours truly), and would be on his or her way dental swag bag in hand, or would be given a number for dental treatment and would stay with us for the day. After all the kids had been taught good oral hygiene, had received fluoride, and had been evaluated, the treatments began. Two at a time the children were shuttled into our make-shift dentist office/ recovery room, which earlier that day had been nothing more than a mere classroom. Working with limited supplies and dated equipment the dental team maintained a cool, calm, and collected façade overcoming all of the obstacles that came their way. The team was so confident and calm that they were even willing to let a newbie such as myself pull some teeth (or what remained of them) without a second thought. The team carried out their numerous procedures with ease, grace, and always an aspect of fun.
The next two weeks flew by, and although we had the same job everyday, we never knew what to expect and what challenges would be waiting for us that day. Whether we had to fight off the scrub eating Alpacas or hike down a couple “blocks” of dirt path carrying a bus full of dental equipment we were always able to make it to our site and to help out as much as we could.
Throughout all of the places we visited, despite the changing conditions of the people, their class, or their knowledge, one thing remained constant-they were all utterly grateful. Never in my life did I think I would live to see someone almost speechless with joy upon being told that they could keep the toothbrush and toothpaste we had used to teach them how to brush so that they could keep brushing at home. Nor did I ever think a little girl would come chasing after me hoping for more fluoride while everyone else barely tolerated the treatment the first time.
These people have so little, and they are grateful for even the smallest things they are given, things that we often take for granted. To you brushing your teeth twice a day may seem like a burden, which in the long run will only have a minimal effect on your overall health. But in reality the simple act of brushing your teeth twice a day can prevent tooth and gum disease, prevent major heart problems, and allow you to live a longer and healthier life. So don’t take these things for granted, protect your teeth and your heart like your life depends on it, because although it may not appear that way, when it comes down to it, it really does.
