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Peru Dental School Project, April, 2004

Each year, at the start of a new academic year (end of April), a dental team of 30 to 40 visits the University of San Marcos Dental School in Lima, Peru, and provides free dental service to the surrounding community. This past April, under the leadership of Dr. Greg and Florence Hatch, a group of 39 participants again visited the university. Dr. Rick and Alma Meyers, arrived a few days before the group in order to assist the Peruvian students and doctors who were in charge of organizing the clinics for the project.

On the Sunday morning after arrival, the humanitarian service group was able to have a wonderful sacrament meeting in their hotel conference room, followed by a one-hour orientation on university clinic procedures, policies, customs, and personal health tips. In the early afternoon, the group took all their equipment and materials to the university to set up the clinic for Monday’s activities. About 12 Peruvian students and doctors joined with the visiting group, and with everyone participating, the work was completed in a record time of about three hours. Most of the repairs, maintenance, and modifications needed for the clinic to function were completed at this time. Mr. John Spencer, president of DCI International (Pelton and Crane), had provided sufficient replacement parts to insure that all the dental units in the new clinic were left in perfect working order.

The week was filled with activities that truly make this type of project not only rewarding for those participating but far-reaching in its effect on those it is designed to serve. The total number of patients seen was 847, and 1,069 procedures were performed. Six separate lectures, a total of 30 hours, were provided on various subjects during the course of the week. In conjunction with the lectures, demonstrations and hands-on practice were provided for participating students and professors. To help assure that the lectures and demonstrations would be well attended, the fourth-year dental class created a beautiful three-panel color brochure and color posters publicizing the lectures. These brochures and posters were distributed and posted throughout the school and other dental institutions in the city.

The Academy of LDS Dentists donated eight books on periodontology to the school library. This donation will bring the Department of Periodontics to an academic level that is acceptable to run a complete undergraduate and postgraduate program.

The endodontic lecture series, along with donations of endodontic supplies, brings the postgraduate endodontic program up to the most current level of endodontic practice. The donations will allow the students and faculty to practice the most modern techniques. The teaching staff is very enthusiastic and desirous to make the transition from the older endodontic techniques taught 15 to 25 years ago to the those that are most current in dentistry today. The University of San Marcos Dental School will likely be one of the first in Peru to make endodontic curriculum changes, with the help of an enormous amount of literature and audiovisual materials given to the school for their use. This curriculum change represents a huge move forward and a culmination of three years of great effort.

In comparison to other years, during this trip there was an increase in the participation of both students and professors. There was a great deal more teaching and interaction between visiting dentists and students. It was gratifying to see students and professors at the chairside practicing the techniques they had learned in lecture, under the supervision of a visiting dentist. Four members of the Peruvian chapter of the Academy of LDS Dentists came at various times to participate in the week’s activities.

Significantly, this was the first time the service project was managed entirely by a core group of Peruvian students and doctors who had been trained during previous projects. Dr. Mabel Salas was the project director during the week, and there were eight clinic directors. This dedicated group of Peruvian students and doctors is now trained and available to plan and manage future projects, in any university, and to do it in accordance with the standards, goals, and objectives of the Academy.

Social and spiritual activities were also part of the trip. On Tuesday, the group attended the temple to do endowment work and baptisms for the dead. This proved to be a very special and spiritual experience for all participating. There were tears and hugs in the celestial room as feelings of gratitude for each other and the Lords work were expressed. The group also spent a delightful evening visiting the cultural music and dance center and enjoying a presentation called “Las Brisas de Titicaca.” Traditional dancers, with classical Peruvian music, performed in spectacular fashion, and in between performances, the floor was open for the public. Almost the entire dental group was out on the dance floor having the time of their lives, dancing with Peruvian students, doctors, and each other. Another evening was set aside for shopping in the Peruvian shops. Students accompanied the group to help bargain for the lowest prices possible. During the Thursday lunch hour, a special musical and dance presentation was provided by the school. A young professional couple, who were dance champions five years in a row, presented the traditional marinera and other dances to honor the group.

While the other members of the group were shopping, Dr. Rick Meyers and 18 members of the Peruvian chapter of the Academy of LDS Dentists met in a restaurant. This dinner provided an opportunity to get to know each other better and discuss the future direction of their organization. Counsel was given and plans were made to improve the unity of their academy. The branch of the Academy of LDS Dentists organized in Peru is continuing to function and grow. Since its inception they have conducted various service projects in poor communities have provided low-cost (or free) services to missionaries or young men and women preparing to go on missions, and are learning to strengthen themselves, as a social group, in their professional and spiritual growth. Dr. Fanny Toulier is the Peruvian chapter’s president.

On Friday, at the conclusion of the week’s clinic activities, a special program was presented in the school’s auditorium. Music and dance started off the festivities, and many in the group participated. Then the dean of the school presented all the visiting team members certificates of participation. An additional certificate was given to those who gave lectures. This was a great honor for all and expressed the approval of the school for our efforts and donations.

The group is always forewarned that active proselyting in the university setting is not appropriate. If the local people come to members of the group wanting to know more about the Church, then Church doctrines can be discussed in a private setting. This type of opportunity constantly presents itself. At least 25 Books of Mormon were given out and more than 10 discussions were given. One of the periodontal instructors is currently receiving the discussions from the missionaries after two years of preparation from this type of contact with LDS dentists. So far, every trip has resulted in at least one baptism.

Dr. Rick Meyers said in his report to the Academy, “It’s hard to adequately explain the value of this type of project and the effect it has on the lives of the participants who provide service, to the members of the university community, and to those receiving this service in the form of excellent dental care. Each year there are a myriad of individual experiences, all of which are spiritual in nature and life changing for many. The hand of the Lord is constantly seen in every aspect of the planning, group selection, implementation, and day-to-day workings of the project. It is important to keep in mind that this is not just a group of dentists doing humanitarian work in a foreign country, like so many other organizations. It is a group of people who are comfortable using the gift of the Holy Ghost, who understand the power of prayer, and who seek inspiration and revelation to guide their paths. They have experience in welfare principles and understand the nature of appropriate humanitarian service based on experience and training. Their only desire is to please the Lord and do His will. They have a love for those they serve and recognize them as children of our Heavenly Father. That is what makes this project unique, and the results, both seen and unseen, are consecrated and blessed by the Lord and have eternal consequences.”

The Academy gives a special thanks to Dr. Greg and Florence Hatch for the work they put into organizing the most successful and rewarding trip so far. There is a lot of behind-the-scenes work involved in putting together this type of project and organizing so many people. Their organizational skills and tenacity with details made everything run smoothly with less stress on everyone involved.

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