This late summer, the team, led by Edgardo (Ed) de la Vega, a practicing dentist in Canoga Park, California and founder of the Dentistry for Every Village Foundation, organised a dental mission for the indigenous Aeta people of Porac Pampanga in the Philippines. The Aetas formerly lived in the mountains of Zambales Province but were relocated due to the eruption of Mount Pinatubo back in 1991.
The dental mission provided basic and emergency dentistry for those suffering from oral health due to deficient access to health care facilities, lack of education, or poverty. During the outreach, the team of 16 volunteer dentists, including members of the ICD Philippines Section, dental nurses and auxiliary personnel, saw more than 235 patients, many of whom required multiple procedures. The health care professionals performed more than 800 procedures including oral exams, prophylaxis, restorative fillings, application of fluoride sealants, and extractions. In addition, patient education sessions on oral health care were given and toothbrushes and fluoridated toothpaste distributed.
The Dentistry For Every Village Foundation, Inc. was founded in 2015 with the mission to improve access to dental care to remote villages in the Philippines. The Foundation, meanwhile, runs two additional charity dental clinics in the Philippines and organises quarterly dental missions thanks to the continuous help of sponsors. It also plans to award scholarships to senior dental students in the Philippines who are in need of funds to complete their course. The funding for the Foundation is generated from donations and grants.
Ed de la Vega said, “I thank the International College of Dentists’ Global Visionary Fund and Henry Schein so much for their trust and continuous support.”
Henry Schein’s donation is an initiative from Henry Schein Cares, the company’s global corporate social responsibility programme. Health care activities supported by Henry Schein Cares focus on three main areas: advancing wellness, building capacity in the delivery of health care services and assisting in emergency preparedness and relief.
Simon Gambold, Henry Schein’s EMEA Dental Group marketing vice president said, “We are delighted that we can contribute to improve access to oral care in the Philippines. Through our long-term commitment to support the International College of Dentists’ Global Visionary fund and Dentistry for Every Village, Henry Schein Cares is helping health happen for those in desperate need.”
The International College of Dentists has been honouring the world’s leading dentists since 1920 . Fellowship in the College is extended by invitation only. A nominated dentist must pass a rigorous, peer review process leading to the recognition of the individual’s ‘outstanding professional achievement, meritorious service and dedication to the continued progress of dentistry for the benefit of humankind’. Currently there are dentists located in 122 countries worldwide, who have been awarded the prestigious title of FICD (Fellow, International College of Dentists).