Keeping and maintaining good dental and oral health is largely connected and a determinant of an individual’s overall well-being and is a leading health and disease indicator (UIC, 2019). Rural areas such as the municipality of Inabanga, one of the many areas fostered by Tzu Chi Bohol, have little access to dental care that the people in the community would prioritize getting by each day without regard that their oral health has an integral role to one’s body. When a piece of the tooth begins to hurt, it affects the facial appearance brought about by the pain and the person’s entire functioning in anguish.
The students patiently waited for their turn.
It is Tzu Chi’s affinity with those who are in need that allows us to create blessings for them. Indeed, Tzu Chi Bohol saw this need that it organized a two-day dental mission in Inabanga, Bohol particularly in targeted Barangays of Sto. Niño, Ondol and Lawis. Led by a Tzu Chi volunteer, Sister Christina Say, she brought along with her 8 TIMA dentists, 4 volunteers from Manila. The team was joined by two local Bohol TIMA dentists, Tzu Chi Bohol staff, Tzu Chi Bohol Youths, and local Inabanga volunteers who all diligently came together despite the challenging weather conditions. The 2-day mission held on November 18 and 19,2023 was able to provide dental services to 527 patients, including extraction (220), oral prophylaxis (225), oral surgery (3), and fluoride treatments to children (79). Those who underwent extraction received free medicines for the duration as prescribed by the dentists to relieve pain and for anti-inflammation, additionally, medicines were given to prevent bleeding for those who received dental surgeries.
Personnel of the Local Government Unit of Inabanga assisted in the distribution of free medicines.
TIMA dentists flew to Bohol from Manila led by Sister Christina Say.
Brother Joseph Co, Tzu Chi Bohol’s Medical Head, emphasized the importance of dental health. “During our outreach, we encountered children living in faraway areas who had never seen a dentist in their lives. Master Cheng Yen’s teachings inspired us to bring assistance directly to those in need,” he explained.
The portable dental machines built by Tzu Chi volunteers in Taiwan were proven to be highly effective equipment as they aided the Dentists to perform time-saving oral prophylaxis enabling them to serve more patients. It can be observed that several children and adults alike had their teeth covered with dental caries or cavities that had accumulated over the years of not seeing a dental professional.
The Tzu Chi portable dental machines used for oral prophylaxis.
Doctor Proceso Radovan performing oral prophylaxis on a student.
Patients, especially children who braved the extraction procedure were treated to a cup of ice cream as a reward for their courage to undergo removal of their already decaying teeth.
During the extraction of teeth.
Following the extraction process, the children were given a cup of ice cream as a form of reward.
Brother Joven Uy, Tzu Chi Bohol’s Deputy Coordinator, expressed gratitude to the dentists and volunteers, for their commitment to serving the students in the area. “We hope, in some way, we can have our children’s teeth cleaned and provide necessary extractions, despite the challenging weather,” Brother Joven Uy shared.
John Carl Aparre while showing his newly cleaned teeth.
“There were even days when I would not brush them (my teeth) for a day because I was always in a rush, now I realize that I want my teeth cleaned,” Sixteen-year-old John Carl Aparre from Tungod, who rarely brushed his teeth in the past, expressed gratitude, saying, “I always wanted to have my teeth cleaned (by a dentist), but it was costly. Thanks to the Tzu Chi Foundation, my teeth are now clean, and I can smile confidently.”
TIMA Dentist Dr. Reynaldo Torres explained to the child his decaying teeth due to dental caries while doing an oral prophylaxis.
Dr. Reynaldo Torres, a retired AFP General and a TIMA dentist from Manila, highlighted the importance of prioritizing dental health in the community of Inabanga as he had seen that many of the children’s decaying teeth were brought about by eating sweets that turned into acid overtime and were neglected with poor dental hygiene.
Dr. Alexander Copengco conducted dental surgery on Arcelita Lucañas due to multiple extractions of her teeth.
Arcelita Lucañas, a 47-year-old resident of Lawis Inabanga, works as a carpenter alongside her spouse. She shared that after her surgery, she didn’t experience any tooth pain as she faithfully took the medicines given to her during the mission. Recounting her experience, she noted that the procedure was seamless, thanks to the dentist’s gentle and skilled hands. Arcelita conveyed heartfelt thanks to both Tzu Chi and Dr. Alex Copengco for a successful surgery for her much-needed multiple extractions of teeth.
“I am thankful to the Tzu Chi Foundation that my teeth have been extracted, I could not eat on the left side of my mouth before because it is very painful especially when eating. The Doctors are very kind and good to us, their service is good, and I hope they will continue to extract teeth in the future so that they can still help many others,” TJ Melecio an eleven-year-old kid from Lawis stated.
While selling food ingredients and condiments in a public market, 23-year-old Genevive Jumamoy overheard an announcement that Tzu Chi was conducting a dental mission. Suffering from oral painful episodes for 4 years, she hurriedly left her work and headed to the Inabanga Gym where the Tzu Chi Dental Mission is being held. What she thought was just for her to excitedly register to avail of an extraction made her suddenly nervous as she was called and told by Bohol-based TIMA Dentist, Dr. Raymond Lim that 4 of her teeth needed to be removed. Appeased by the comforting words of Dr. Lim, Genevive finally agreed to undergo long-span multiple extractions with a suture procedure.
Dr. Raymond Lim further commended the collaboration with Manila TIMA volunteers, expressing appreciation for their support and effort in making this dental mission the largest conducted for the year. Looking ahead, Doctor Lim said, “We hope to continue these efforts in the future, creating a greater community through good oral hygiene.”
The Tzu Chi Dental Team from Manila and Bohol with Brother Joseph Co (4th from the left) and Mrs. Christina Say (5th from the left)
Dharma Master Cheng Yen once said, ‘In providing dental care to those in need, we not only heal their physical pain but also nurture the seeds of compassion, sowing smiles that blossom into hope for a healthier, happier future.”
