Operation Smile Dental Mission to Take Place in Vietnam, from March 19-28

An Operation Smile team of 47 general dentists, pediatric dentists, orthodontists, oral surgeons, endodontists, dental hygienists and University of Maryland dental student volunteers will conduct the 13th annual Operation Smile Vietnam dental mission from March 19-28, 2009. Nine Delaware volunteers, as well as others from Maryland, North Carolina, Pennsylvania, Texas, Vermont and Virginia, will provide education and dental treatment to hundreds of children and young adults in Hanoi and Hue, Vietnam. This mission also offers training opportunities, as U.S. dental volunteers provide Vietnamese dental professionals with hands-on education through lecture and clinical treatment.

One team will work in Hanoi at the Hanoi Medical School and Cuba Hospital. In Hue, volunteers will work at the Operation Smile Comprehensive Care Center within the Hue Odonto-Stomatological Hospital, while additional team members will travel in five fully equipped dental vans, owned by P/S, an oral care brand of Unilever Vietnam, which has established the “Protect Vietnamese Smile Program.” Team hygienists will travel with the vans to schools in order to teach children proper brushing techniques and gum care.

Delaware medical volunteers include:
Dr. D. Michael Gioffre Jr., D.D.S., of Wilmington, DE, a General Dentist and owner of First State Dental.  Gioffre has volunteered on 15 Operation Smile Missions and served as Team Leader on 11 Dental Missions.   When asked about Operation Smile Gioffre said, “It’s in my blood. Operation Smile afforded me an opportunity to get involved while I was still in Dental School, to participate in something larger than I could ever have imagined.  The benefits from that experience go far beyond the thousands of children we have educated and treated, for that I am forever grateful.  Each Mission, ever child, all the Teams of Volunteers, they have all made a significant impact on my life, who I am and how I practice Dentistry.”

Linda Okner, R.D.H., of Hockessin, DE, said, “I love working with children, traveling, teaching and my career; so it was a perfect match for me. I was one of the first hygienists to be added back into the dental mission team.  Each mission I've learned something new and I try to share it with the next group of hygienists.”  Linda, who works at Pike Creek Dental, has volunteered on four previous Operation Smile Vietnam dental missions.

Also on the medical mission team is Sharon Mossman, R.D.H. from Newark, DE, who works at Delaware Technical and Community College.  Mossman said, “Operation Smile has created  beautiful smiles and life changing experiences for many underserved populations.  These life changing experiences affect the lives of volunteers and dental professionals too.  The collaborative efforts of the dental team help to build partnerships with our Vietnamese colleagues and reach a common goal of improving the overall oral health of patients.  It is an extremely moving experience and I feel very lucky that sharing my skills benefits others less fortunate.”  This will be Mossman’s second experience participating on a dental mission with Operation Smile.

Madeleine Uhlhorn, R.D.H., from Wilmington, DE, is looking forward to her third Operation Smile dental mission.  She said, “From the time I was in college, I wanted to participate in some type of foreign mission. Life's obligations wouldn't allow it until a few years ago when this opportunity came along. I jumped at the chance.  The rewards from sharing what we have and helping children are just tremendous.” Madeleine works at First State Dental.

Participating on her first Operation Smile dental mission is Michelle Yanacek, R.D.H., from Newark, DE.  Yanacek, who works at Pike Creek Dental, said, “I like to give back to people in need.  I like to share my knowledge and skills with those who are less fortunate than me.  I also enjoy working with children. This mission will give me the opportunity to help and educate others in a less fortunate country.”

Susan Moroskie, R.D.H., from Newark, DE, works at First State Dental and is excited about volunteering on her first Operation Smile medical mission.  She said, “To provide children in Vietnam with proper dental education is important, as well as knowing I am doing something that could have a positive impact on these young people.”

The last Vietnam dental mission took place in March 2008 when Operation Smile volunteers worked in Hanoi and Hue and treated more than 5,000 patients.  Each child was given a dental hygiene kit, donated by P/S, containing toothbrushes and tubes of toothpaste. Vietnamese dental professionals attended a series of lectures given by the Operation Smile team members and local dentists.  Since 1995, nearly 16,500 patients have received dental treatment during Operation Smile Vietnam dental missions.

The Vietnam dental mission program began in 1995, when a group of faculty and students from the University of Maryland’s Dental School wanted to help children across the world and also share their knowledge and skills with their Vietnamese counterparts. The group was led by dental student Bill Magee III, son of Operation Smile Co-founders Dr. Bill and Kathy Magee. The mission has since grown to three sites and treats thousands of children each year.  During the mission, each Operation Smile team member is paired with his/her Vietnamese counterpart allowing them to build bonds, share experiences and differences in methods of practicing.

About Operation Smile (www.operationsmile.org)
Our Mission: Operation Smile mobilizes a world of generous hearts to heal children’s smiles and transform lives across the globe. Founded in 1982, Operation Smile, headquartered in Norfolk, Virginia, is a worldwide children’s medical charity whose network of global volunteers are dedicated to helping improve the health and lives of children and young adults. Since its founding, Operation Smile volunteers have treated more than 120,000 children born with cleft lips, cleft palates and other facial deformities and the organization currently has a presence in 51 countries. In addition to contributing free medical treatment, Operation Smile trains local medical professionals in its partner countries and leaves behind crucial equipment to lay the groundwork for long-term self-sufficiency.

Media Notes:  To receive images or additional information, or to request an interview with an Operation Smile spokesperson, please contact Lisa Jones at ljones@operationsmile.org or 757-321-3252.