Dedicated to a Culture of Service

2023 International Service Trips Update

BY: MICHAEL LE Executive Director, PDS Foundation

In March, the PDS Foundation welcomed 16 students and faculty from the University of the Pacific Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry (pictured below) to serve at the PDS Foundation Clínica Dental in Xenacoj, Guatemala. The trip’s purpose was twofold—provide dental services free of charge to patients in Guatemala and enhance the dental students’ clinical confidence while investing in their hearts to serve. The trip marked the third time PDS has hosted a trip in partnership with the University of the Pacific.

“We had a wonderful experience,” said Kayla Hunt, D2 student from University of the Pacific. “On the third day of our trip, I performed procedures on the upper anterior teeth of both a daughter and her mother. At the day’s end, my patients found me to express their gratitude and take pictures. I felt fulfilled and grateful to have made such an impact on the lives of others through dentistry.”

We are thrilled to continue connecting future oral health care leaders who share our values with service opportunities at the PDS Foundation Clínica Dental. If you know of a school interested in serving in Guatemala, please contact Carli Casey at KingsleyC@pacden.com.

In April, 10 PDS team members and clinicians traveled to the clinic and served 90 patients, some who took four-hour bus trips just for the opportunity to have access to oral health care. In some cases, the treatment received was lifesaving.

“What an amazing experience to serve at the dental clinic in Guatemala with my son! It was so rewarding to help support the clinicians delivering much needed basic and restorative dental care to those that might not receive it otherwise. Can’t wait until next April,” said Brady Aase, SVP, Strategic Market Development and Support.

Dedicated to Mouth-Body Connection® Education

One recent enhancement the PDS Foundation made at the Clínica Dental was adding and providing Spanish-translated Mouth-Body Connection® resources, educating patients on the connection between oral health and systemic diseases in their native language.

“The explanation for patients is much more didactic,” said Rodrigo Letona Barillas, DDS, a full-time dentist at the PDS Foundation Clínica Dental. “When I gave the information prior, patients had difficulty understanding. With these posters, the explanation is far simpler, and the patients sometimes take a photo to read later.” The clinic also offers flyers and brochures in Spanish which patients can reference to help maintain their oral health at home.

Thank You to Our Volunteers

A special thanks to the following volunteers who graciously served during Guatemala trips in February and April 2023:

February: Crystal Hines Becerra, RDH; Ashley Bell, RDA; Jared Bell, Guest; Christina Donnelly, DMD; Michael Nguyen, Regional Director and Heidi Sayegh, DDS

April: Brady Aase, SVP; Hudson Aase, Guest; Michael Beluch, DMD; Bryan Graziano, DDS; Marisol King, DDS; Andrea Ladson, RDH; Michelle Symonds, RDH; Madeline Witte, DDS and Kimberly Zelaya, LDA