The clinic is situated off
the ship in a village or urban setting.
We
leave every morning at 8am and return back at 5pm.
At
the beginning of the outreach, we set up all our portable
equipment in the building which has been allotted to us. The
facility is secured and locked every evening.
OVERVIEW OF CLINIC
We have a capacity of
five portable dental chairs and units.
CLINIC SETTING
We provide clinical work at the dental site five days a
week.
We use portable equipment on a basic scale with good
quality supplies.
Each dentist works with a dental assistant and a
translator and each hygienist has a translator.
Treatment includes resin and amalgam fillings, extractions,
anterior root canals, and cleanings and sealants by the
hygienists.
PATIENT QUEUE / LINE
We schedule patients
for appointments.
However, many other patients queue/line up for treatment
every day.
ORDER OF PRIORITY
First, we see the patients who have received an
appointment.
Second, we select patients who have serious
emergencies, e.g.: facial abscesses and infections.
Finally, we select patients according to where they are in
the queue, on a first come first served basis.
WAITING ROOM
While patients wait,
they receive dental health education and the 'Jesus' film is
played on video in the local language.
Patients without appointments often wait all day in
hope to be seen, but many will not be seen as the need is
endless.
