Dental screening

One dentist, two translators, a security guard, a nurse and me.  The nurse and I were volunteers.  Or, I  guess, volunteers from jobs other than dental screening.  And three lines of potential patients, well over 400 people.  We're in an empty lot, not too far from Mercy Ship's dental clinic. This is done every Monday morning to make appointments for people who want free dental care this week.


It looks simple, but is done with great skill. We each work with a translator, and Dr David works between the two translators, looking with a light into each patient's mouth.  He assesses very quickly if they can be helped at the clinic, then hands me a  wristband  which I put on as  Yassine explains what will happen at the clinic.  Meanwhile, David is already looking at the next person in line.  A couple of hours later, about 360 appointments have been made, starting with today.


Most patients will get teeth pulled.  A few get fillings.  All the children are seen, most of them today.   After we drop David and the translators off at the clinic, we get a tour.  It's a beautiful clinic  that Mercy Ships has renovated.  As Roses shows us the clinic, David is already working between two chairs.  One gets numb, and he's on to the next, probably an extraction.

We see the waiting room filled with people that we just saw in line!  The children hear a story while they wait and get a dental hygiene lesson.  Everyone leaves with a toothbrush and toothpaste.

There are usually three dentists, along with dental assistants, hygientists, dental sterilizers, translators... it's a busy place!  A good way to spend a Monday morning.

Debbie