Thoughts from a Volunteer

Do not let your hand be stretched out to receive and closed when it is time to give.

I was introduced to MEDICO through a news article in the American Dental Association newsletter back in 1990, and have been a volunteer on many teams since then. I was looking for an opportunity to contribute my dental skills to those in need and discovered a partner to help me achieve this goal – MEDICO, the Medical, Eye and Dental International Care Organization.

Joining a MEDICO team has the advantage of being out of my office routine for only one week, Saturday to Saturday, but what a full week it is. The teams I have participated with have been to Honduras with the port of entry into the country through San Pedro Sula. Here we meet other members of the team for an opening dinner together, orientation and assignments for the week. On Sunday morning, with our truck packed with supplies, we leave for our designated worksite, a remote mountainous village in Central America Upon our arrival, long lines of people are waiting to be served. The medical, eye and dental clinic personnel select their work locations in the village set up their equipment.

Over the years, the dental set up has become very comprehensive. We have an electric generator, air compressor and two mobile dental units. There are patient dental chairs and dental stools. Dentists are asked to bring their own surgical instruments, but MEDICO provides all other supplies. It is always amazing to me the number of people that come to be treated. This all works efficiently because the local host organization we partner with communicates with the village community leaders that a medical team is coming. The word gets out to the surrounding villages, and people come, some walking 3 to 4 hours to get to our site. Most of the people that come for dental care come for relief of pain. “Donde duele?” is the often repeated question to each patient. When they open their mouth, it becomes pretty obvious why they have come for our services and you soon understand why you are here as a Dentist providing humanitarian aid.

One of our teams of four dentists treated 294 patients, doing 435 extractions, 80 cleanings, and 102 fillings. The patients are cooperative and appreciative of what we do. Here are people in need, and we respond to their needs. The end result is, we go to help others and we find, in turn, that we are helped as well.

This is more solidarity than charity. This was brought home to me one year when we were packing our truck outside of our hotel to leave for our work site. An elderly woman came up to me and gave me this big hug and then started speaking to me in rapid fire Spanish. I wasn’t able to understand her and turned to one of our interpreters to ask, "what is she saying?" "Oh, she recognizes you from last year and she is thanking you for the work, the extractions you did for her last year", the interpreter stated. What a compliment this was for me and for our whole team!

We are a team and that is why we have been so successful over the years. During the time we are together a real bond is created from a shared experience with our patients and our Spartan living conditions. This MEDICO experience is transforming. I also found that I related differently to my patients when I returned home.

On behalf Of MEDICO, I invite you to partner with us on a field team. Financial contributions for supplies and program development are always appreciated. We have been given much; so open your hand now to give. Join us in providing humanitarian care for people in need.

Dr. Anthony C.
New York