HISTORY OF THE HONDURAS DENTAL MISSIONS
The Diocese of Fall River created the Honduran Mission in 2000. The mission is in the town of Guaimaca which is located two hours from Tegucigalpa, the capital of Honduras. Through the health clinic, girls' school programs and other events, the Diocesan Mission aims to help the poorest of the poor in rural Honduras. 
The Diocesan Mission has just completed construction on the dental clinic this year yet there is still much to be desired. UCLA ASDA (American Student Dental Association) students are working to raise money and supplies to create a functional dental clinic for the Honduran Mission. We will be providing dental treatment to thousands of patients between the June, September and December trips we have organized for 2011. The treatment will include, oral health instruction, prophylaxis, restorations, extractions and more. Most of the people we will be providing care to have never had any dental treatment and many do not even have the resources for or understanding of the importance of preventative care. Our goal is to provide treatment to as many patients as possible, but even more importantly, to educate them on proper oral health care. This will enable them to bring what they learn back to their families along with the toothbrushes and toothpaste we will be handing out. Our UCLA mission groups are very excited to be able to put our skills to use for such an impoverished community.
Last year we sent two trips of 16 dental students and dentists each to the clinic in Guaimaca. The 2010 trips were the foundation for our current efforts to improve the clinic, the mission trip organization, and our fundraising efforts. This year, we have already raised over $3000 for the mission as well as received lots of donations from various companies such as P&G, Johnson & Johnson, Brassler USA, Medical Protective, Patterson Dental Supply and more! Here is the link to the 2010 Honduras Dental Mission Blog that documents all of our activities between the two trips.
Stay tuned for updates while we pack the supplies and prepare for the June trip departure!!!
