Education Bolivia Project #7925

Help Dental Hygiene Students Make Bolivia Smile!

by Smiles Forever

Project Report | Feb 14, 2017
Dental Care Given with Love!

By Sandy Kemper | Founder & Director of Smiles Forever

Bolivian boy at his first clinic visit

Smiles Forever dispenses dental care to young Bolivian children at our service clinic in Cochabamba:

Here at our centrally located at-cost service clinic we introduce the very young children to a lifetime of good dental practices. We have a special place in our heart for the little ones ages 4-7. It is so gratifying to stop dental decay before it gets a hold. As you can see from our pictures of new tiny shy clients, we get many a puzzled look. Parents are welcome to stand beside their children during treatment and help explain what we are doing with special dental tools and rinses. Actually, even though these children are in awe of the fully equipped examining room, they adapt well with our tender care. Many children who are timid beforehand, afterwards are so proud of themselves and the new toothbrushes they receive.

Elementary School visits are a big part of our program to introduce children to proper dental care:

Over the course of more than a decade, Smiles Forever has made bringing dental care to grammar schools a large part of our outreach. The teachers prepare the children for the experience to help ease potential anxiety. Sometimes our dental team is greeted with welcoming posters. In Bolivian schools, it is possible to find a row of outdoor sinks. It is here that we take the children to line up to practice brushing their own teeth. Something so simple as a toothbrush is unheard of and can be unattainable without our help. Because toothbrushes are lightweight and can be tightly packaged for shipping, this is one dental item we can ship down or bring with us from the United States. We have a few long-term benefactors who help supply toothbrushes for the indigenous children, but Smiles Forever welcomes additional help. Two of our recurring givers have chosen the toothbrush donation level, and we are so appreciative of their contributions.

The stories of the children are so many and so varied:

Some of the children we see actually live in the street or under a bridge. Some of our young patients live at shelters with parents who are incarcerated. Some children have been burned or are being treated for cancer. Smiles Forever treats children of blind parents. We treat children of miners who receive inadequate health care from the government. It would break our hearts if we had to turn children away. One little girl who had cavities was the child of a single mother who sold homemade liquor. She said she loved candy, especially chocolate, but that she now understands sweets are not good for her teeth. It is a challenge to be fighting the battle for childhood tooth care in a country where having a balanced meal can be rare.

Introducting Marian, our most faithful Smiles Forever board member:

Marian truly has a giving heart. Marian is my dear friend I have known since high school. She was there for me when I first founded Smiles Forever over 16 years ago. Her enthusiasm for helping others extends to the 3rd World. Marian's history in a key role with the organization is so valuable. She has empathy and insight for those who might need special help, for she herself often relies on the kindness of others. Marian reminds us to hold events in accessible venues. When she chooses not to go out into the Seattle rain and daunting traffic, Marian attends our meetings via phone. One of Marian's special gifts to the our non-profit has been to do outreach with the Rotarians.

Friendly Reminder for when you sample chocolates from Heart-shaped Valentines Day boxes:

Remember to brush your teeth and please remember all the children who receive loving dental care from your gifts. Donating the price of a box of chocolates will bring dental care to 20 children. Thank you for all you do!

Pretty in pink with pigtails

Our clinic directors young children with pets

School children learning about dental care

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Nov 23, 2016
Giving Dental Care during the Giving Season!

By Alejandro Beckrich | Smiles Forever Bolivian Clinic Director

Sandy Kemper, Smiles Forever Founder with youth

The Giving Season is Here!

To Our Donors and Supporters:

First of all, thanks once again for your continuous support and commitment to Smiles Forever.

Allow me to provide a brief report of activities of our ongoing activities and projects & opportunities to give on Nov. 28th Pacific time for Nov. 29th Giving Tuesday & receive 50% match from both Global Giving UK (starts 4:01 p.m. Pacific time) and Global Giving US. (starts 9:01 p.m. Pacific time):

Star Student Shirley now working with Adult Patients

1. Shirley our star student is moving on in her training from children to adult patients. Shirley completed the sealants quote in her requirement book for graduation. Her theoretical knowledge is solid and she can explain to the patient and relatives or tutors why she is placing a sealant. Shirley's communication skills about promotion and education in prevention have grown exponentially along with her own patient work.

Dr. Quinteros Weekly Prepares a Schedule to Reflect Beneficiary Needs

2. A sample of our continuous weekly schedule divided in morning and afternoon shifts and at the same time every shift is divided in 2 service groups per shift. This schedule is adjusted every week according to the necessities of our beneficiaries and the different procedures from extractions to fillings, from dental cleanings to recall and evaluation.

Asociacion Vidas, composed of Blind Dental Care Recipients, has Treatments extended to Families

3. Smiles Forever has a commitment to provide quality and preventive dental work. This tradition continues as we expand help to the families of our newest clients--collectively called Asociacion Vidas ( a group composed of blind people). Since their necessities are big and their capability of working is really limited in Bolivia, providing dental care for their families is not at the top of their list. After a careful analysis of this need, we decided to include their direct family (wives and children) into the beneficiaries group, expanding our service for this organization from 32 beneficiaries to almost 90. The procedure is simple. They come and register their family members and schedule the evaluation appointment and from there our hygienist and dentists team will continue with the work.

Your Global Giving Choices for Giving Tuesday actually begin Monday Nov. 28th at 4:01 p.m. on UK--Donate in Pounds and you will help us receive 50% match, and also help our project "Provide Dental Care for 30,000 Bolivian Children" be in line for monetary prizes--the top one of 2,000 pounds is worth $2,500! 600 pounds per project can receive matching of 50%, that's $750 plus $375 more equaling $1,125! Small donations, as little as 6 pounds which is under $10, are also welcome as we need a minimum number of individuals supporting our incredible work in Bolivia. Look for our entire family of three Smiles Forever projects, as they are all eligible. This contest runs through December 31st. Even if matching funds are depleted, your donation still counts toward making Smiles Forever eligible for prizes.

Provide Dental Care for 30,000 Bolivian Children!

If you prefer to give generously in U.S. dollars, find us starting at 9:01 p.m. Monday Nov. 28th Pacific time for 50% matching. Here just "Provide Dental Care for 30,000 Bolivian Children" is listed, but you may give up to $1,000 which is eligible for a match as long as funds last. Of course, your small donations encourage us and Smiles Forever values them, too. You may give beyond $1,000 if this fits your giving profile. Global Giving generates a thank you and tax information virtually instantly. The U.S. Global Giving campaign goes to December 31st.

Provide Dental Care for 30,000 Bolivian Children!

Our sincere gratitude from everyone at Smiles Forever and from those thousands that we serve. Remember both contests continue through December 31st. For those who find Recurring Giving more convenient, there is a special grant to match your original donation of up to $200, provided your recurring donation lasts at least 4 months. Thank you for helping so many!

Dr. Quinteros scheduling patients

Shirley setting up for patient

Smiles Forever Clinic's Weekly Schedule

Julian with his two daughters--new patients

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Sep 17, 2016
Smiles Forever Sees a Way to Help the Sightless

By Nancy Clark | Project Leader

Vania treating a child age 8 with Dr. Ricci

Your Donations Give Dental Care to the Sightless!

Alejandro, our Smiles Forever clinic director in Cochabamba, Bolivia sends good news about our addition of treating the sightless:

We just started with the blind group and ages vary really widely from 9 to 62. I know we have more focus on children for Global Giving, but here are two important points:

1.- We will help anyone in need no matter the age, but of course we are more focused on children.

2.- Special needs patients and adult patients are perfect for the students' training.

Here is the story behind how we began to give dental services to the blind:

They contacted us through a person who helped Smiles Forever in the past. After several meetings and the exchange of documents, we signed the agreement in August in the Smiles Forever offices. I signed for Smiles Forever and the president of their organization, Javier Alarcon Condori signed as their president. It is important in Bolivia to conduct business, even our charity, with formal agreements. Then we coordinated subjects like how we can offer adequate service for them. The first thing discussed is that they don't want to be treated differently from the rest which is awesome. Indeed equality is one of our values as an organization, but we agreed that in order for them to get used to the physical space of the clinic the first time special considerations and accommodations could be made.

How we introduce blind patients to our clinic:

Any patient who comes (with previous scheduling) we will watch for them at the door and conduct them until they sit on the chair in the treatment room. After the dental service we will walk with them to the bus stop or call a cab or whatever is needed to make sure they get home safely or to their center properly. I introduced Javier to the the staff and he visited our facilities and talked to some patients; he is a sweet man in his mid-40's. I saw a gesture of tenderness from our Dr. Ricci as she walked Javier to the bus stop. She waited and made sure he was on the right bus to go back home.

We began with the initial group of 18 beneficiaries, and will expand to treat their families:

The initial group is composed of 18 beneficiaries, and after their cycle of treatments, we will include their familes. Also, a highlight of the group is that it is composed of people whose economic situation is not the best. But as with anyone in need, it is Smiles Forever's mission to try and give as much as we can.

It is because of You--Our Friends from Global Giving around the world who care so deeply about those economically or physically handicapped that we can continue to give care to so many.

It is because of Your Generosity that we can in turn bring the happiness of being valued and of being free from dental pain. Muchas Gracias, Alejandro

About the number of organizations: we have reached 23 so far with signed agreements. Besides that we eventually have referral patients and people who work at the shelters to give dental care to those out-patients, too.

Here is the story of Vania, one of our more advanced students, who is learning so much more by being able to help those who have limited vision or who are blind:

Hello My Friends:

Thanks to all the Smiles Forever supporters, now I’m starting a new stage in my training to become a dental hygienist. Finally, the wait is over and I’m starting to do procedures and protocols on real patients. It is more complicated than using the dental models, especially if they are kids and they move a lot. I know that with my instructors help and guidance I will be able to overcome this difficult, but beautiful task. Also,I want to use these lines to thank anyone who has supported Smiles Forever. It’s not only about one little project --it's more! It’s a bigger picture and so many things involved, like training us, giving us guidance about things like how to make a monthly budget to organize our private lives. Smiles Forever is helping children and adults in need and way much more, and now they have a new group coming. It’s going to be my first time helping blind people. The new group Asociacion Vidas is composed of blind people and their families and their ages vary from 10 to 60 years old. This will be awesome for my training, but I am still a little nervous because of the fact that working with blind people is different. From helping them to walk into the clinic to making sure they leave or take the correct bus will be a new experience for us all. I am thinking how I’m going to explain home care techniques that are probably 80% visual to someone who cannot see, but we will make it. I look forward to seeing each of them again and I understand how proud they are to learn independence as they become accustomed to the layout of our clinic. Love, Vania

Global Giving hosts time-release 30% Bonus Day Wed. Sept. 21st: Best time for Seattle time zone donations is 9:01 a.m. Renew your valued support or even consider joining our Recurring Giver family!

Pyramids of market produce

Old Bolivian lady with modern pen

Smiles Forever group & clinic director Alejandro

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