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The Mobile Dental Clinic will bring free dental care to children of the public school system and low cost dental care to children's families in the twelve (12) San Felipe communities in the north of Santo Domingo. Poverty and low income prevents families from obtaining adequate dental care. Tooth decay affects children more than any other chronic infectious disease. The beneficiaries are the children, parent and adults of the 12 San Felipe communities of about 20,000 people. The benefits to the community include: Preventative dental care; Disease prevention; Education on proper dental care to reduce cavities and gum/tooth disease; Building greater understanding between the communities and Rotarians from the DR and from the USA -> Global Peace and Understanding.
Rotary Club of Santo Domingo Innovador is the host Club: will help with organizing efforts with the local San Felipe community and will overlook all the financial matters of the project in the DR. Assist SODHAIDEAS in the organization of the MDC; liaison with the San Felipe communities thru the RCC; help with the Exchange Program for professionals.
The SODHAIDESA Clinic will own and operate the Mobile Dental Clinic Truck; provide and organize 2 dentists (one from the Clinic and one other Rotarian; purchase the truck with project funds; outfit the truck with the donated equipment and supplies; manage the MDC schedule in the 12 San Felipe communities; provide maintenance and fuel for the MDC; organize efforts with schools and community players; conduct the Professional Exchange with partnering USA dentists/professionals.
In August 2013, We Are One's partnership with Tufts University School of Dental Medicine resulted in a free dental clinic in San Felipe, Dominican Republic. Dr. David Paul of Tufts and four of his dental students and resident doctors visited San Felipe, just north of the capital, Santo Domingo, during the first week of August. For one week, the dental clinic, set up in the SODHAIDESA Clinic, served over 150 children and adults with dental care. Every morning dozens of children and adults showed up at the clinic, were triaged, and given complete examinations. They also received extractions as needed, fluoride applications, and instructions on personal dental care, such as flossing and brushing. Nashoba Valley Rotarians Richard Simon and Fatima Serra served as the support team for triaging, scheduling, interpreting, fixing anything needing repair, and even dental charting! During the week, the team met with the Ministry of Health, which agreed to support the project with dentists and supplies.
In August 2013, the We Are One project completed its fund raising program with contributions from twenty Rotary clubs in Massachusetts, Connecticut, and Pennsylvania, individuals, and dentists. In July 2013 The Rotary Club of Abilene, Texas pledged $1,000 via the www.matchinggrants.org website. We are very thankful to the people of Rotary District 5340 in southern California whose efforts have brought Rotary Clubs from around the world closer together in their efforts to fund good and worthy projects helping people. These donations unlocked about $30,000 in District 7910 and Rotary Foundation matching grants for a total of $53,600 to support a Mobile Dental Clinic for San Felipe, Dominican Republic. Now the project can enter its implementation phase. The generosity of donors will give the gift of better dental health to thousands of Dominican children. Thanks to all of our "We Are One" project supporters.
In October 2013, the SODHAIDESA Clinic Director and project director, Dr. Frantz Compere, and his team met with the authorities of the Ministry of Public Health Area III, including the Director, Dr. Andres Cuevas, Oral Health Coordinator, Dr. Auddys Castillo, Assistant Oral Health Program, Dr. Ruth Aquino Lamb, and Katherine Georges, who is in charge of SODHAIDESA Clinical Nursing. Dr. Auddys Castillo agreed to use the following name for the project: "HEALTHY TEETH, HAPPY SMILES." At the meeting, the authorities of the Ministry also agreed to provide all necessary support for the project. The Director of Area III and SODHAIDESA are signing an agreement to work together in the municipality and to support the project. Health workers will be trained to work in the prevention of diseases in children and will benefit from the project.
Also in October 2013, a delegation from Clinica SODHAIDESA held its first official meeting for the schools of San Felipe, kicking off the oral health project, "HEALTHY TEETH, HAPPY SMILES." After meeting with the Director of the schools, Mr. Cecilio Jimenez, the group met with more than 35 teachers to explain the project's objectives and the schools' participation. Currently, fourteen schools in San Felipe will participate. All teachers were very happy and expressed their support for the project. Several members of the Development Council of San Felipe and the program "Calm Living" of the Ministry of Interior and Police also participated in the meeting. Clinica SODHAIDESA is a member of the Council for Development of San Felipe. Dr. Frantz Compere was elected as the coordinator of the Health Commission. Everyone agreed that this project is one of the largest projects to be developed in the San Felipe community during the next five years. Additionally, everyone on the council will support the project for its great success.
By January 2014 donation processing was completed with the Rotary Foundation and project funds were received in the special bank account set up by Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley. The truck for the Mobile Clinic is identified and will soon be purchased in the Dominican Republic.
This Matching Grant project created a strong connection with Dr. Compere, his Clinic and the people of San Felipe WITH the Rotary Club of Nashoba Valley. In February 2014 Nashoba Valley funded two additional projects in San Felipi: Fighting Teen Pregnancy and Improving Health Education for a total donation of $1,000. This shows how a Matching Grant project's sustainability goes beyond the Matching Grant project.
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