For over a decade, I have dedicated myself to my role as Public Health Dental Hygienist in Massachusetts. I work in communities that are in need of dental care and where I can promote good oral health care for children and adults. Massachusetts is fortunate to have this program for its low-income residents. But I view my dental and medical training as a gift to be shared beyond our state’s borders. I seek out missions around the globe to help where I can. The following is a snapshot of a couple of the missions that changed my life when I lent a hand.
In 2016 I was part of a large group that provided dental hygiene and medical basics to people in Columbia. It was an exhilarating and worthwhile endeavor of long days and non-stop work. The goal of that mission was to treat as many people as possible in the 7 days we were there. We pulled together and treated between 3-4,000 people in one week. This journey was a gratifying experience for me and encouraged me to do more.
For one week in July 2023, I traveled to Zanzibar, Tanzania with the grassroots Nitasimama Foundation, “Nitasimama” means “I will rise”. I was able to provide education and introduce rudimentary hygiene practices with the goal of instilling healthful habits. These are habits that Americans take for granted like regular and thorough hand washing, brushing teeth twice a day, and basic feminine care and cleanliness. It was such a humbling experience to realize we were teaching what we consider in America to be basic hygiene routines, and yet in the communities we visited, they were awed by things like floss and were so appreciative of receiving items like toothbrushes which are not easily accessible.
We provide over 500 free services each year!
