UTHSC - San Antonio

4-Day Mission Trip to Nueva Rosita, Mexico-Two HSDA students and the Greater San Antonio Hispanic Dental Association President-elect, Dr. Balderas attended CMDA's summer mission trip. In an effort to give back to the community these individuals donated their time and skills to people of scarce resources and very limited access to dental care. Under Dr. Balderas' supervision students were able to deliver restorative, oral surgery, and preventive dental treatment. Three different sites were visited and dental care was rendered at no cost to adults and children. One of the sites visited was a special needs elementary school, shown in the picture below. At this school, children with mental and physical disabilities including deafness, muteness, mental retardation, and Down syndrome received oral health care. Additionally, oral hygiene products and educational materials were distributed to everyone at every site including people who did not receive dental treatment. During this mission trip patients were educated about the importance of proper oral hygiene and the impact nutrition, diabetes, and hypertension have on oral health. Prevention of early childhood caries was also emphasized during these educational sessions. The chapter has already made plans to attend the mission trips planned for this fall. One of the upcoming mission trips includes a toy drive for the children in Mexico. The children will receive oral hygiene materials in addition to their early Christmas toys.