New Dental resources [Archive] - REMOTE, AUSTERE, WILDERNESS & THIRD WORLD MEDICINE

tangent

06-25-09, 20:27

Update:

HERE ARE THE NEW DETAILS FOR THE CURRENT PROGRAM

We are located in Brownsville Texas with field clinics into Mexico.

This course in no longer a “home - study” course. We have returned to our successful two - week (on –site) training format. (Our website will be updated in the next week).

We teach the A.R.T. technique, which stands for atraumatic restorative treatment. It is growing in popularity globally and endorsed by the World Health Organization. It is a slow and gentle technique that is well tolerated by the most fearful of patients. It is more comfortable than standard techniques. We do not need to inject needles or use powered drills. Young children do very well with it. It is inexpensive – no dental unit, suction system, compressor, electricity, or plumbing are involved. This approach to dental care is ideally suited to remote areas - you can literally carry your clinic in a backpack.

The course is preceded by reading selected portions of our training manuals. We use a “one on one” (hands – on) tutorial style of training - an accelerated apprenticeship if you will (not a typical classroom setting - see “Testimonials”) The 2 - week course is limited to 1 or 2 students. We cannot accommodate more students without compromising essential clinical experience. You will practice on a mannequin and extracted teeth for the initial 3 days of training and quickly progress to clinical practice by the 4th day. We schedule multiple clinics to assure adequate clinical experiences. At times we need to include evening lectures and labs if there are too many patients needing treatment during the day.

NON - TUITION COSTS

Lodging: $15/day at mission compound in Matamoros, MX (adjacent Brownsville TX)

Local transportation: $10/day for tolls, fuel, transport to clinics, grocery store, etc

Dental kit: $190 (Instruments / material for 60 fillings / mannequin head for home practice)

Meals: Students provide for themselves - a small stove, utensils, ice cooler, are provided.
Transport to stores is provided

TUITION

We ask that a (tuition) donation be given at the end of the course. In this way you will know exactly what training you have received and can give appropriately as the Lord would lead you.

For an idea of an appropriate donation, see application below.

SCHEDULE

Schedule: There are no set dates. Dates are flexible and are decided upon with each student according to individual needs.

Sunday: Flight arrives

Monday, Tuesday (lab)

Clinic I: Wed / Thu (Clinics / lab / lectures)

Clinic II: Fri /Sat (same)

Clinic III: Mon / Tue (same)

Clinic IV: Wed / Thu (same)

Clinic V: Fri / Sat (same)

Sunday: Fight departs

IS THIS PROGRAM RECOGNIZED?

There are legal issues related with any medical or dental ministry - the extent of which varies according to country, region, and local area. We have served in Asia, Africa, and Latin America with few difficulties.

We normally interact with local health and municipal leaders. Locals know us personally and directly benefit from our services. They have a vested interest. Thus getting their support is easier and usually all we need.

The key is to conduct ourselves professionally; making public relations, patient safety, and compassionate care our priority.

We recommend that you contact health care ministries in your country and area. You may learn much from them and even be invited to partner with them.

We ask that you reflect on this issue. You would not want you to learn a skill you will not be able to use.

COURSE DETAILS

We utilize the A.R.T. system of dental treatment pioneered by Dr. Jo Frencken. It is:

• Growing in popularity world-wide and endorsed by the W. H. O.

• Slow and gentle dental technique is well tolerated by the most fearful of patients

• More comfortable for patients – no injections or drills. Great with kids or the extremely fearful

• Inexpensive – needs no drill, dental unit, suction system, compressor, electricity, or plumbing

• Ideal for remote areas - easily carried in a backpack.

SKILLS TAUGHT

• Basic dental evaluation / cancer screening

• Oral health teaching (individual and community)

• Fluoride treatment and sealants to prevent decay

• Scaling (cleaning teeth)

• O.P.T. (operative preventive treatment)

• Filling decayed teeth

• Management of common dental problems

• Instrument sharpening

• Infection control

TO APPLY (Paste in an email and send)

1. Name / Age / Address / E-mail / Phone / Citizenship

2. Are you presently a full-time missionary on the field? If not, please explain.

3. What mission are you with and how long have you served with them?

4. How will dental care help achieve your mission goals?

5. Are you confident you can utilize dental care in your area? Why?

6. For training purposes, please advise whether you are right or left handed.

7. Tuition donation: Please check the amount you feel is most appropriate and that you can afford.
This assumes that the training meets your expectations:

□ $75 /day ($9.37 / hr)
□ $100 /day ($12.50 / hr)
□ $125 /day ($15.62 / hr)
□ $150 /day ($18.75 / hr)
□ $175 /day ($21.85 / hr)
□ $200 /day ($25.00 / hr)
□ $225 /day ($28.12 / hr)
□ $250 /day ($31.25 / hr)

To help you form a perspective, here are some wages to compare with:

Waiter/Waitress $8.01* average hourly wage
Nurses aid $10.67* average hourly wage
Nurse $28.64* average hourly wage
Dental Hygienist $30.19* average hourly wage

* From the Dept of Labor “Occupational Outlook Handbook” 2008-09 Ed. - paid May 2006

Note:

Courses consist of one or two students. In our experience, two learning together enhances the learning experience. The expected donation remains the same for each student whether they train alone or with another. We ask that donations remain private between students to avoid embarrassment or pressure. With two students, the transport and lodging can be shared (except lodging with opposite sexes).

Send to: dentaltrainingformissions@yahoo.com