Arayat Dental Mission

On June 17th, 2023, Dentistry For Every Village Foundation and its partner, Group A Dental Associates of Las Piñas City, Philippines held a charity dental mission dubbed as “Libreng Gamot Ng Ngipin” at Arayat, Pampanga, the ancestral hometown of Dr. Ed de la Vega, the President of the Foundation. The venue used was the newly built air-conditioned Arayat Sports Center.

The mission was supported by the Radio Mindanao Network Foundation (RMNF), the Municipality of Arayat, the International College of Dentists Global Visionary Fund and the Henry Schein Cares Foundation. It was also made possible by other sponsors such a Poten-Cee, a Pascual Consumer Health Corporation, Home Suite, Giant Carrier, Radio Station DZXL 588 Manila, Radyo Trabaho and the RMN Networks.

The Municipality of Arayat, through its Mayor, Ma. Lourdes “Madette” Alejandrino provided the food and housing for the volunteers as well as the transportation to move the huge amount of dental equipment and supplies used for the mission.

Included amongst the equipment were 5 portable dental units with high and slow speed handpieces, 5 medium size 100 psi compressors, 5 portable dental suction machines, 5 ultrasonic prophylaxis unit and an array of surgical instruments , including among others, 60 pieces of extraction forceps; 75 anesthetic syringes ; 75 sets basic instruments (mouth mirrors, explorers and cotton pliers) and two large 18 inches steam sterilizers. Two large boxes of dental supplies and sundries were also part of what was shipped.

The large number of dental supplies including those needed for composite resin restoration and root canal procedures were provided by ICD Global Visionary Fund of Flint, Michigan and Henry Schein Cares Foundation of Melville, New York.

More than 200 patients pre-screened for covid by the Municipal Dentist, Dr. Frank Kibanoff were seen by the dental volunteers that provided the following services: Oral examination, blood pressure monitoring, oral prophylaxis, dental x-rays, composite restorations, extractions, patient education and even one provisional fiber supported composite resin bridge.

The team that provided the services included 12 licensed dentists, two technical support experts, one for equipment and another for hand instruments and a dental equipment technician to assure that all equipment function as intended.

The dentists: Dr Amry Chavez-Noza, Dr. Luz D. Villanueva, Dr. Ma. Delia Saquido Picardal, Dr Maria Leah Imperio, Dr. Cesario del Rosario, Dr. Karlo Picardal, Dr. Ma.Yessa Rodil-Jarlos, Dr. Ma. Teresa Avinante Solina, Der. Anjanneth Garcia, Dr. Francis Garcia. Dr. Frank Kibanoff and another dentist from Arayat, Dr. Charlie Tonio also joined the Team.

The technical people: Efren Noza, Roco Ibe and Alberto Mendoza. The Pharmacy was handled by Marcela de la Vega, BSN, RN,MN,

RMN Foundation represented by its Corporate Social Responsibility Officer, Mr. Patrick Aurelio provided bags of food packs for all the patients that included rice and multi-vitamins. They also provided food for the patients and auxiliary volunteers. D4EVF provided hundreds of toothbrushes and toothpaste.

Many Barangay (Village) volunteers came to lend a helping hand and they took charge of keeping the venue orderly, safe and clean. They also helped in the sterilization of the used hand instruments and cleaning the venue after the event,

Mayor Madette Alejandrino and the Vice Mayor, Bon Alejandrino came to see the operations , and to express gratitude on behalf of the people of Arayat as well as to provide support and encouragement to everybody, from the volunteers to the patients.

The following day after the event, Dr. Frank Kibanoff and his wife, Roma toured the volunteers around Arayat bringing them to all the gorgeous tourist spots in town. They also took them as close as possible to the famed Mount Arayat, the tallest mountain in the central plains of Luzon Island to enjoy the sights and serenity of the mountain. They also visited the ancient St. Catherine’s Church and the shrine of General Jose Alejandrino, a hero during the Spanish and American war to colonize the Philippines.

The same set of volunteers are scheduled to return to Arayat towards the end of the year to do another dental mission and formally open the dental section of the still under construction, Arayat Super Health Center. The Dentistry For Every Village Foundation will provide all the equipment for the dental clinic including a handheld digital x-ray system.