I just got back from an incredible mission trip to the Himalayan mountains in North India with a group called the Flying Doctors of America! What an amazing group of people. We travelled to extremely remote villages along the India and Chinese border. The people that live in these areas are isolated from everywhere for six months of the year due to the weather. There were 4 doctors and 4 dentists and we took all of our own drugs and dental equipment. I took out about 400 teeth. Obviously not cosmetic dentistry! Sometimes the clinic were set up in remote community centers and sometimes we just did the extractions outside as you see in the photos here. It was truly rewarding giving back to people that didn’t have anything in the world. They were all so appreciative and generous. We ended the trip in Dharamsala India where the exiled Dalai Lama lives. We didn’t get to see him but we did get to spend some time at his temple. I am truly blessed to have been able to take this trip and next year hope to set up my own and go back to India to Gujrat which is the state my grandparents are from.
Ashish
More doctors need to do this kind of thing. It was great to see the pictures…thanks for going!
Comment by Jack Richter — March 24, 2010 @ 6:28 pm
It’s good to read about dentists such as Dr. Patel doing such kind work to people who barely receive dental treatment. May you continue with your outreach in the coming years. All the best.
Comment by Dentist Roseville — March 29, 2010 @ 12:20 am