By Sandy Kemper | Founder & Director of Smiles Forever
Volunteer Deborah McLynn Chiu Instructs Hygienists at Unique Bolivian Dental School
Seattle area's Deborah McLynn Chiu RDH, dental hygienist and educator for 23 years, came to enrich the teaching program at the Smiles Forever one-of-a-kind vocational training program in Cochabamba, Bolivia. Deborah arrived February 12th and stayed for a whirlwind week of instruction and the sharing of the most up-to-date techniques. Because the Smiles Forever sponsored Dental Hygiene School in Bolivia is the first ever dental hygienist training program in Bolivia, maybe even the only one in all of South America, there is a need for a Spanish/ English training manual. Deborah McLynn Chiu is helping to write the book!
This book will provide a how-to guide on Mastery Level Dental Hygiene techniques. Our current manuals are being rewritten and updated to include our latest training techniques. One specialty of Deborah's is how to use scaling instruments for cleaning teeth, and she has taught our indigenous Bolivian women the latest techniques. Everyone here is so appreciative of her enthusiasm and help and energetic spirit to take on such a big project. We all are hoping Deborah McLynn Chiu can return for another teaching visit.
Our graduates, who have now formed their own Dental Hygiene Association in Bolivia, returned to attend evening and weekend continuing education courses to further develop their skills. In the spirit of Smiles Forever's Mission of giving to the community, the new Dental Hygiene Association of Bolivia has decided to raise funds for their own sealant and flouride school program, as well as aiding and mentoring other indigenous young women who attend the Smiles Forever Dental Hygiene School. We are all so proud to report that our graduates have branched out to help even more children who need preventative dental care for improved overall health.
Our special dental school, which changes the lives of young Bolivian women who might otherwise be homeless, without skills to support their families, and living a day to day existence, offers these women a better future with your generosity. Thank you. Muchas Gracias.
In total, our school has been here in the heart of the Bolivian high plateau country operating for over a decade and giving quality dental treatment to literally thousands, including burned children and rural populations. Many have received urgent care with the help of our irreplaceable teaching staff and volunteers.
We have been ranked #124 in this wonderful organization of over 8,000 projects. Our current Leader Title Overall has meant the Send a Homeless Bolivian Woman to School for a Year can be featured in matching campaigns, listed on corporate giving sites, and featured in South American campaigns. We just need to bump up to the $24,000 and above donation level, and with your help this can happen. An easy way to help this project you care so much about is to become a recurring giver. That way I'll be even busier sending out my sincere thanks.
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