The moment you've been waiting for is here...
Smiles on Wings is now on Twitter - Follow us here!
Sunday, April 3, 2011
Friday, March 11, 2011
Things that Make me Smile
On the last day of each mission, we put on a fun activity for both our schools and the villages to enjoy! We want them to remember Smiles on Wings and why us crazy Americans came to their school and kept talking about their teeth.
The theme of the winter party was "Things That Make Me Smile." Our dentists started the party with dental trivia based on facts we had been teaching the students all week. Proper dental hygiene was emphasized and a prize was given for each correct answer. The kids impressed us with how much they remembered. They also were great at translating words like "teeth," "gums," and toothbrush" from Thai to English.
Students then created their own special drawings of smiles and decorated with stickers and drawings of the things that make them smile. SOW volunteers helped them to spell in English, but the students didn't need any help writing the words, they all had beautiful handwriting! Everyone had their own creation to bring home and remind them why its so important to keep their smiles beautiful.
Take a look at our entire Smiles Party album to see more photos of this fun day.
Friday, March 4, 2011
Dreams of the Future
Not only did our Winter Smiles on Wings Team create beautiful smiles, but we also inspired students at the 35th King’s Foundation School to pursue their dream careers! Hear from Muoy and Amm below:
Ms. Pris.sa.na Yim.Jei (Muoy)
Age: 17
"I’d like to be a doctor, so I can help my own family and others. I can bring back my knowledge for my village. If I can’t afford to be a doctor, it’s ok for me to become the assistant, at least I can help others. I am so excited to see how each patients responds. Each of them reacts differently. It’s kinda tough during the first few days because I don’t know how to use all the equipment very well and how to communicate in English. However, everything works smoothly. I really love it now. Everyone is so lovely and I feel so comforted. I look forward to working with Smiles on Wings in the near future."
Ms. Pra.pas.sorn Kam.Rob (Amm)
Age: 19
"I’d like to be a business women. I help the team organize and set up. I give toothbrushes and toothpaste to all patients. I also do chores at the end of the day. I’m very proud of myself for being here with Smiles on Wings. I gain a lot of knowledge with the lovely dentists as well as the other team members. Everyone is so lovely. They taught me how to brush and floss my teeth."
Friday, February 25, 2011
Smiles Restored
Wednesday, February 2, 2011
Khob Khun Kha!
 |
| Dr. Usa Bunnag with students from the R21 school in Mae Hong Son Khob Khun Kha (Thank you) to all the volunteers, staff and partners that made the January 2011 Mission possible. With one week in Mae Hong Son and one week in Phang-nga we were able to treat an extraordinary amount of children at the R21 and R35 schools. |
Final Mission Stats:
Total Patients: 270
Total Restorative Patients: 203
Total Hygiene Patients: 212
Total Fillings: 365 on 113 patients
Total Sealants: 696 on 150 patients
Total Scalings (Cleanings): 212
The students and school staff were extremely grateful for the treatment they received. Preventive and restorative treatment left everyone smiling. We will return in July to continue treatment for our current patients who are still in need as well as treat new patients at the schools and nearby orphanages. Make sure to "Follow" us to hear post-mission stories and updates from the SOW family.
 |
| Sam Jacobs and Dr. Atul Patel instructing students on how to teach their peers to brush properly |
Thursday, January 27, 2011
Successful week in Phang Nga
Our week in the Takua Pa District of Phang Nga Province has been going by very quickly. The Smiles on Wings dental team has worked diligently through 12-hour days to provide care for the students, staff, and surrounding members of this community.
A special applause goes to Dr. John Kastendiek and his wonderful assistant Lori, who completed 110 fillings on 23 patients in one day. (Yes, 110!!) Their efforts are much appreciated by the patients who were in great need of their services. Dr. Patel took time out of his busy schedule of placing sealants and fillings to provide oral hygiene instructions to a group of students. His brushing demonstrations on our favorite donkey model were effective and our assistants got to practice their new skills of teaching others about dental health throughout the afternoon.
From Monday, January 25th to Wednesday, January 27th:
Our team was able to provide care for 87 patients, performing
199 fillings
258 sealants
67 scalings
A special applause goes to Dr. John Kastendiek and his wonderful assistant Lori, who completed 110 fillings on 23 patients in one day. (Yes, 110!!) Their efforts are much appreciated by the patients who were in great need of their services. Dr. Patel took time out of his busy schedule of placing sealants and fillings to provide oral hygiene instructions to a group of students. His brushing demonstrations on our favorite donkey model were effective and our assistants got to practice their new skills of teaching others about dental health throughout the afternoon.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
Blue and yellow day
Today is our third day in the clinic and each day the kids wear different colored shirts depending on the activity of the day. Yesterday was sports day and all had these wonderfully bright colored shirts, yellow, lime green, sky blue and pink!
At home we always joked with patients that if they lost a temporary or had a dental problem while away on vacation we could always set up a beach chair and take care of them! We were only able to bring down two dental chairs so we improvised with what the school had available. Well the beach chair actually works!! The kids are great and once settled into the chair we can do exams, sealants and hygiene. For most of the kids it is dental education that is most needed and having a regular team come to the school will benefit them all for years to come. The older children are a great help and are very interested in what we are doing and love to assist! They get the biggest kick out of hearing us try to pronounce the very difficult Thai words- I feel I have to scrunch up my face to make the sounds!
This morning I worked in the restorative section with Lori who is awesome and rises to the task no matter what challenges we may have- from a very ticklish patient to mechanical problems! We have plans to work until 8:30 pm for three days to try and accommodate everyone- all are so patient in waiting their turn and between the large screen TV and many drawing stations they pass the time. It has been a wonderful experience so far and appreciate all the help received by everyone!!
written by Dr. Susan A. Grimes, Vermont
At home we always joked with patients that if they lost a temporary or had a dental problem while away on vacation we could always set up a beach chair and take care of them! We were only able to bring down two dental chairs so we improvised with what the school had available. Well the beach chair actually works!! The kids are great and once settled into the chair we can do exams, sealants and hygiene. For most of the kids it is dental education that is most needed and having a regular team come to the school will benefit them all for years to come. The older children are a great help and are very interested in what we are doing and love to assist! They get the biggest kick out of hearing us try to pronounce the very difficult Thai words- I feel I have to scrunch up my face to make the sounds!
written by Dr. Susan A. Grimes, Vermont
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)