Comprehensive dental care available in Suriname

Photo By Tech. Sgt. Quinton Young | Surinamese civilians line up outside of the Brokoponda Nucleus Center here, July 16, 2011. The center was set up as a temporary dental clinic in support of New Horizons 2011 and the 60th Medical Group Dental Readiness Training Exercise. New Horizons is a cooperative humanitarian mission between the Suriname government and the United States Southern Command with the goal of helping to improve the quality of life for the people of Suriname.  

PARAMARIBO, SURINAME

07.16.2011

Story by Tech. Sgt. Quinton Young 

114th Fighter Wing

BROKOPONDO, Suriname – The Brokopondo Nucleus Center was turned into a comprehensive dental clinic on the morning of July 16, 2011 for the beginning of a 10 day exercise as a part of New Horizons 2011.

The dental team comprised of 12 dentists and 11 dental technicians are from the 60th Dental Group, Travis Air Force Base, Calif., with two additional augmentees from the 375th Medical Group, Scott Air Force Base, Ill. The team will perform procedures at the clinic for nine days from 8:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. each day.

The dental team has a dual mission here in Suriname.

“We have two mission goals to accomplish here,” said Lt. Col. Chol Chong, 60th Dental Group team leader. “One of our goals is training so that our dentists can become proficient in austere environment dentistry. Our second goal is our humanitarian goal and providing comprehensive dentistry to the people of the region.”

This comprehensive care doesn’t just mean getting their teeth cleaned. Visitors to the Brokopondo dental clinic can receive procedures to include; extractions, routine restorative care, root canals, and even replacing missing teeth with a transitional denture.
A recipient of this care, Rakesh Khoesial, felt lucky to be receiving the care from the group.

“I had one tooth removed and another filled” said Rakesh. “This was very much better than I expected and I am very grateful. Many in Suriname are afraid to go to the dentist because they have had bad experiences. It would be great if future projects could include teaching our dentists here some of the techniques that are used in America. I am very grateful.”

After a full first day of procedures, the clinic had seen 90 patients, extracted 101 teeth, given fluoride treatment to 13 children and done restorative dental services to 25 patients.

New Horizons is a cooperative humanitarian mission between the Suriname government and the United States Southern Command with the goal of helping to improve the quality of life for the people of Suriname.

• Date Taken: 07.16.2011
• Date Posted: 07.18.2011 08:47
• Story ID: 73892
• Location: PARAMARIBO, SR