Ohio team fights Belizean cavities
Have you noticed that more and more Belizean children are sporting healthy smiles? This morning News 5’s Ann-Marie Williams found out one reason why.
Ann-Marie Williams, Reporting
Dentists advise that in order to maintain good oral hygiene, you should visit them at least twice per year. And St. Mary’s school, as part of its parish outreach, is making sure their students live up to that advice, thanks to “Project Smile Ohio-Belize.”
What started out with a group of volunteer dentists and hygienists from Savannah, Georgia has spread all over the eastern United States. Nine years and eighteen dental missions later…
Dr. Steve Acuff, Chairman, “Project Smile”
“We have treated over four thousand children and in the eight or nine years, we have done some studies and we found that we have a sixty-two percent, that’s almost two thirds, reduction in dental decay into children that we treated.”
According to parish priest Father Leroy Flowers, the children that they have treated and continue to treat come from five schools.
Father Leroy Flowers, St. Mary’s Parish
“I’m happy to say that St. John’s Primary School is now a part of the programme. The two schools in Hattieville, both the government school and the Adventist school are part of the programme. We also have the Stella Maris School and we have clientele from the Belize Visually Impaired organisation who are also a part of the programme.”
Today team leader, Dr. Ed Boy, who is on his second trip to Belize, is attending to his patient.
Dr. Ed Boy, Team Leader, “Project Smile”
“This is Eli, and she’s been in the programme since she’s very young, and she’s already been seen by our team in the past and she is experiencing wonderful dental health. She has no cavities, she’s developing normally, no pain, no problems.”
And many of the volunteers have no problems paying their own way to come to work as part of “Project Smile”. In fact, some even recruited their family members. Boy’s daughter is Jennifer Estes. She’s part of two generations on the mission.
Jennifer Estes, Dental Hygienist
“The working conditions are a lot different as far as the chair and lights that we use, but we’ve accommodated very well to it and the kids make it a lot more easier.”
Ann-Marie Williams for News 5.
The “Project Smile” team leaves Belize on Wednesday. Another group of dentists and hygienists will arrive in the new year to see students at St. John’s Primary.
