And we're back!

After several internet-less days and a few cold showers out of a bucket, I am back with plenty of updates!  The SOW team traveled 1500 kilometers south to the Phang-nga province of Thailand.  Before I tell you a little bit about what we are up to in the south, please take a minute to read our final stats from the northern mission. In four short days, our team was able to complete a tremendous amount of much needed dental treatment on the 1st-12th grade students of the 21st King's Foundation School in Mae Hong Son: 

Northern Mission Statistics, January 17-20, 2011

Total Patients - 143

Restorative Patients - 107

Hygiene Patients - 119

69 fillings on 33 patients

337 sealants on 94 patients

120 scalings

7 extractions 

We are now in the Takua Pa district of the Phang-nga province working diligently at the 35th King's Foundation School.  Two of the dentists from our northern team flew home to the states and we have been joined by Dr. Susan Grimes from Vermont as well as Dr. Atul Patel from California. Half of our group is lodging at a nearby hotel and the other half is staying at the principal's guest house on campus at the school.  Geckos and other creepy crawlers are making sure to follow the team members to wherever they have chosen to sleep!

Our new Smiles on Wings' team!

This is SOW's third visit to the 35th School and this leg of the mission is sponsored by a grant from the American Dental Association Foundation's Tsunami Reconstruction Fund.  The 35th School was completely destroyed by the 2004 tsunami and has been beautifully rebuilt.  The new facilities are built on much higher ground in case another disaster should occur.  The school offers boarding for 700 students and also has an additional 100 day students.   

Our dentists are busy treating the students from the school and will work late each night to treat youngsters from a local orphanage.  We are lucky to have the older students from the school help our team with all parts of the mission including: screening, registration, and assisting. Stay tuned to hear updates from our team as well as the student helpers!  Please feel free to leave comments about our mission or ask questions to our team members.  

~ Raina