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Successful Honduran Project Continues

Dr. Frederick Meyers recently returned from Honduras. He reports that the new dental school clinic is running very well, in spite of the absence of a missionary couple. Dr. Ramon Arguelles, who is LDS and the dean of the dental school, is doing an excellent job taking care of the clinic and seeing that its objectives are being met. Dr. Michele Paredes, director of the Social Services Residency Program, supervises the facility and is constantly monitoring the residents in their use of the equipment and the handling of the instruments.

Chairs and delivery systems, compressor, air line pressure, and water pressure are all in good working condition. The suction units, though, are having difficulty functioning properly. Two have stopped working due the very heavy buildup of hard-water lime. They were put back in service after a complete disassembly and removal of the hard deposit with a hammer and chisel. Drs. Arguelles, Paredes, and Meyers will find a new source of water or see that a water softener is added to the water. In the meantime, these suction units are not in use.

The storage room remains well stocked with original materials and instrumentation. The security systems for the clinic, its storage areas, and supplies are fully adequate to maintain the clinic in excellent condition. Materials and instrumentation are dispensed by Dr. Paredes through an opening in the office glass window facing the clinic. There has been very little theft. The clinic is cleaned thoroughly twice a day by the school cleaning service who have been thoroughly trained on proper procedures. Once a month, the dental residents do a detailed cleaning and maintenance of each unit and all other equipment.

There are currently nine active residents who spend at least half a day at the clinic. Some spend a complete day assisting the director or dean with projects, tasks, or additional patient care. Every six months new residents are chosen for the clinic. Recently, four students were selected. The standards for admission to the residency program are very high and competition for these positions is keen. More resident positions will become available as students make the necessary changes to meet the academic and social standards to gain a position.

Although missionaries and prospective missionaries are seen in the clinic frequently, both members and nonmembers have equal access to care at substantial discounts. Many patients are seen at no charge. The dental section of the missionary application form is being filled out appropriately and work is being completed for the prospective missionaries. Missionaries from North America are also being seen for emergency treatment.

The Residency Clinic Program has had a tremendous impact on the standards of the entire dental school. Students are studying harder than before, competing for the resident position. The positive influence of the resident clinic on the staff to enhance their own programs is being seen. Some of the other doctors and specialists on staff are utilizing the clinic in difficult cases with the assistance of the residents. Overall, the clinic supplements the education of the dental students. It is not “adding” additional requirements to their curriculum.

The construction of the clinic and the dental service project in May 2003, combined by a continuous public relations campaign by the current dean and the vice rector (previous dean), is generating additional funding, support, and focus on the dental school and its services. Many other institutions are trying to make similar changes to their residency clinics in an effort to receive the same attention. The concept has captured the interest of groups in the U.S. and other Latin countries who are interested in providing support in other areas.

Since May 12, 2004, the clinic has registered 561 patients, and 928 procedures have been completed. The majority of patients come in for comprehensive work, but only about 35 to 40 percent return more than three times. The new resident clinic doesn’t add to the competition for patients that exists between all the clinics of the dental school, since much of the referral base comes from the other clinics in the dental school, other residency programs throughout the country, and the local mission presidents.

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