"We Treated 1000+ Cavities In 3 Days": MdC's Health Fair Through A Dentist's Eyes
For over 20 years, oral healthcare accessibility has been a passion of Dr. Joe Lee’s. Some of his projects in the past have been providing dental care to patients in Bolivia and Honduras, many of whom had never received dental treatment before. A few weeks ago, Dr. Joe returned back to San Luis Rio Colorado, Sonora, Mexico for MdC’s biggest health fair to date.
Here is an account of the trip from Dr. Joe’s perspective.
Dr. Joseph Lee received his DMD from Harvard School of Dental Medicine and an MPH from Harvard School of Public Health. He runs a dental practice in Wellesley, MA and is a board member for Misión de Caridad.
Day 1 of Misión de Caridad Health Fair.
This is my 3rd trip to Mexico in 2021. What a privilege to travel with awesome health professionals from Highrock Church (Andrew Noh, Alan Kwok, John Kwon), my pastor Dave Swaim and co-founder Jean Sicurella.
Two members of our Mexico team working behind the scenes to set up the tents for our health fair
The medical team from left: Dr. John Kwon (pediatric dentist), Dr. Alan Kwok (optometrist), Andy Noh (Nurse Practioner), Dr. Joe Lee (dentist).
Crowds lining up to participate in our drawing after the health fair.
Even before the fair began, the Prep Team did an excellent job setting up tents for all the differnt areas in the medical building. It was open and airy to allow for good airflow and there were separate rooms for the inital screening, medical, dental, vision, and seminars spaces. My dental chair, which at the last fair was a small school chair, got an upgrade to a beach lounge chair that reclined; a much needed improvement. There was also a small bench that worked well for Dr. John to see his pediatric patients.
Check out this video to see the tent in action!
Having John, a pediatric dentist, with me, allowed us to expand our dental services to include cavity stopping drops, fluoride varnish, sealants and extractions for kids.
See video below of one of the adult extractions.
From sunrise to sunset, in just one day, we saw over 100 patients. This is equivalent to what I see in 2 weeks in my dental practice in Wellesley. At the end of the day, exhausted but productive, our team with all the volunteers went out for well deserved meal together.
Mexican dinners were a wonderful treat at the end of each long day! Pictured is Nurse Andy Noh.
Day 2 of Misión de Caridad Health Fair.
After Sunday worship service, the team loaded up the next round of healthy groceries to distribute at today’s fair. In all we will provide food to all 90 families that attend. Outside of the medical fair, Misión de Caridad distributes two weeks of healthy groceries to needy families once a month. Since May 2020, MdC have delivered enough healthy groceries to prepare over 38,400 meals.
For the Health Fair, all families had appointments and they lined-up to sign in. In addition to medical, dental, and vision services, we had a book table, an arts and crafts for children, seminars on nutrition and exercise, prayer counseling, and a time to sit with our staff so MdC could learn more about each family’s specific situation.
There is a BIG need for children’s education in this community. Most children only attend school only one day per week and do not have internet for online school. Misión de Caridad is researching how to best solve children’s education problems for the migrant families. Your suggestions and help will be appreciated.
Thanks to our donors, we had a book corner with children’s books in Spanish and English.
Every child was allowed to pick a book to bring home.
Our crafts corner kept children busy while they waited for their appointments or parents.
Day 3 of Misión de Caridad Health Fair.
In the 2.5 days of the clinic, we treated over 250 patients. In dental, John Kwon and I treated more than 1,000 cavities, administred almost 300 fluoride varnishes, multiple dozens of sealants and many fillings and extractions. Ella Upton (daughter of co-founder Jean Sicurella) managed all the dental charts, while Ivanna, was the medical assist administering most of the flouride treatments. Dr. Joe and Dr. John each had their own translators (Emily and Marilyn) to communicate with patients . In the tent with Dr. Alan Kwok, everyone’s vision was checked and he gave away many dozens of reading glasses and recorded more than 40 prescription glasses which will be made in US and mailed to Misión de Caridad for distribution to the patients.
Dr. Joe treats an elderly patient with the help of MdC dental assistant, Ivanna
Dr. Joe and Dr. John treated over 1000 cavities in 2.5 days
Dr. Alan gave out reading glasses and took patients’ information for prescription glasses
In the medical tent, Nurse Andrew Noh noted improvement of many patients from the last Health Fair back in May in reducing blood sugar levels and weight as a result of medication, exercise and healthier eating. He noted that of the patients seen at the last fair, most had cut their soda consumption by at least half. He continued to encourage all to reduce their consumption of soda and to be more aware of the consequences of high sugar consumption in both adults and children.
Having our Senior Pastor Dave Swaim on this trip was a bonus; he provided spiritual leadership and demonstration of servanthood. Thank you Jean Sicurella for your heart, vision and leadership—where do you get your energy?
The medical team take a break for lunch (starting on the left: Andy Noh, Alan Kwok, Joe Lee. Starting on the right: Jean Sicurella, her daugher Ella and Pastor Dave Swaim.
Doing missions with friends and fellow Highrockers is FUN. It was a life illustration that life is not only about the DESTINATION but also about enjoying the JOURNEY.
This trip was one of the most intense and back breaking, yet at the same time, one of the most productive and fulfilling. We accomplished a lot in a short time with little we had, but truth be told, what we did were only drops of treatment in the ocean of disease.
Our amazing medical team:
Medical scribe Ella, Dr. Joe, Nurse Andy, Interpreter Dave, Interpreter Jeannine, Dental Assistant Ivanna, Interpreter Marilyn, Interpreter Emily, Dr. John, Dr. Alan and Medial Assistant Michell. What a team!!
Every day of the fair, I saw the real life impact of unequal access to oral healthcare. A 70 year old woman came to the dental clinic with upper full denture telling me that her gums hurt. The denture was pinching on her gums. It was made 10 years prior and it has been hurting for the 10 years. In tears, she said she didn’t have the money to return back to the dentist to have it adjusted. In my practice back home, this would have been a simple adjustment or reline, but I did not have my equipment to help her. Through the translator, I said “please live long, because I will return in April and will bring my equipment to fix your denture so that it won’t hurt anymore.” Her tears turned to smile as she squeezed my hands with hers.
Dental assistant Ivanna treats an elderly patient.
Interpreter Marilyn uses a dental model to teach a child about tooth brushing
Many children who attended our health fair were receiving a medical checkup for the first time from Nurse Andy.
This was my 4th visit to San Luis Rio Colorado, Mexico. As I stood in line at the border crossing to enter back into US, I felt a bit of sadness in my heart. Strange faces have become more familiar. The categories I used to describe these people (refugees, migrants) have names, families, broken dreams, feelings, just like me. During the 3 hour drive from the border to Phoenix, my thoughts revolved around the next time I’ll return. I did make a promise to a little girl the day before.
As I was leaving the clinic, an 8 year old girl I treated that day came to me to thank me, “gracias” and asked me if I was coming back. With my limited Spanish, I told her “en cinco meses” (in 5 months). She gave me a big hug. As I walked away from the girl toward the van, I saw tears welling up in her eyes.
For more videos of Dr. Joe Lee in action, check out our blogpost on the importance of flossing.
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