Last fall marked the eleventh year of NYUCD’s outreach to the Dominican Republic. Since its inception, the program has provided nearly 30,000 treatments to people living in rural areas of the Dominican Republic with little or no access to health care.

The 2006 outreach had an expanded primary care mission, thanks to enhanced program resources. For example, the addition of two pediatric dentistry residents and of Dr. Amy Truesdale, Assistant Professor of Pediatric Dentistry, enabled the team to manage and treat very young children, which had not been possible before. In addition, the outreach team benefited from the skills of a Family Nurse Practitioner, Ms. Sherry Herdman, from Jones Memorial Hospital in Wellsville, New York, and her assistant. They were stationed in the triage area and reviewed patients ’ medical histories, recorded their blood pressure, provided wound treatments related to diabetes, treated rashes and ring – worm infections, and provided support for patients who fainted because of dehydration and/or lack of food.

From November 11 through November 19, 2006, the team visited Veragua, a very underserved community initially visited in 1999, and surrounding villages in the Province of Espaillat. The team consisted of 13 DDS students (two third – year students and 11 fourth – year students); two International Program students, two pediatric dentistry residents, and six faculty and staff members, who provided a total of 3,279 treatments, including 575 full exams, 407 sealants, 43 fluoride varnishes, 1,056 restorations, 393 extractions, 45 minor surgeries, 579 X–rays and 181 prophylactic treatments. According to the program’s founder, Dr. Lidia Kiremidjian–Schumacher, Professor Emerita of Basic Science and Craniofacial Biology, "these results make our annual outreach a tremendously satisfying humanitarian experience."

Patient care was also enhanced by the addition of a portable dental X–ray unit, which generated images that were displayed on a computer, improving diagnostic accuracy and enhancing the learning experience for students. The portable X–ray unit was administered by Dr. Roy Sonkin, Clinical Assistant Professor of Cariology and Comprehensive Care, who also set up a Web site that allowed the outreach team to share daily activities with the entire NYUCD community. Special thanks also go to Dr. Girish Shah, Clinical Associate Professor of Oral & Maxillofacial Pathology, Radiology & Medicine, who coordinated all clinical activities. As in the past, the trip was generously cosponsored by NYUCD, the Dominican Air Force and Cabarete Palm Beach Condos.

"Nothing can possibly prepare you for the experience of sudden immersion in a culture so different from your own, " said Dr. Christine Calamia, Class of 2007. " We take so many things for granted that are considered impossible luxuries in the Dominican Republic. As a result, there are a lot of heartbreaking moments, but the importance of the work we do and the gratitude of our patients make it all worthwhile."