We Believe in Good

Sonrisa Immaculata

Three Rivers Dentist, Bart Roach, was inspired to provide dental services to the indigenous people of Guatemala nearly twenty years ago. During the past decade Dr. Roach has expanded his efforts to provide dental services to the people in the state of Solola, Guatemala.  Utilizing local contacts, Dr. Roach has assumed the responsibility of outfitting, staffing and overseeing the operations of two clinics in this region.

Dr. Roach’s first visit in 2014 was to assess the needs of the population and existing infrastructure. Six months later, he returned to the Novillero, Solola with another dentist and two of his office staff. In one week of working with a population who seldom receive dental care, the team provided dental care to both adults and children. It was important to him that he not just extract teeth. In four and one half days of dentistry, the team completed 391 fillings, 224 extractions, 219 sealants and 55 deep cleanings. Additionally, classrooms were visited with hygiene instruction given to school-aged children and their instructors.

Dr. Roach has since led more than forty dentists over ten trips to deliver care to the underserved. His pop-up clinics are turn-key operable from which any inspired dentist can bring their staff and operate. 2022 was the first year that he empowered local Guatemalan dentists with the equipment to perform mobile dentistry. His allies in Guatemala have since put on three clinics without him in the last year.  Additionally, it is hoped that as this organization grows, there will be more opportunity to focus attention on early prevention, diet and hygiene among the families of the region. With increased funding and participation in the years ahead, clinics and educational outreach could be provided on a monthly basis, thus making a significant impact on the overall health of the people in the highlands of Guatemala.