Guatemala, December 2025
The team consisted of 3 general dentists (Dr. Kreher, Dr. Humeres and Dr. Eckert), their spouses as dental assistants (G. Kreher, M. Black and F. Couture) and another couple who are native Spanish speakers (K. Black and A. Garabedian); the latter a definite bonus in a small community with very little English and many different Mayan languages.
Dr. Eckert, Dr. Humeres and Dr. Kreher communicated over several months with Dr. Adrian Musters, an Ontario dentist who had worked at the clinic on 4 separate occasions, and Juan Vasquez, an engineer who had donated the land for, built the clinic and acted as their local contact person.
As such, the group had a fairly good idea about the work situation and what supplies were needed to take along. The dentists had copies of their dental licenses and letters of invitation to this clinic to show, if necessary, at customs upon arrival to explain the instruments, supplies and medications that they took to this humanitarian project.
CDRI group arrived in Guatemala City Saturday afternoon on a direct flight from Montreal and were met by Juan and taken to a hotel overnight. The following morning, the whole group embarked for the trip to Jocotan in the eastern state of Chiquimula. After dropping the bags at the hotel, the group went off to visit the clinic to familiarize with the equipment and set up for the week’s work.
And work they did!
Juan had a list of local people in need of dental care (who cannot pay local dentists) and when CDRI group arrived on Monday morning there was already a good lineup waiting. The two volunteer helpers did health questionnaires and organized the paperwork while the Spanish-speaking dentist did exams to establish required work. Dentists and assistants set 2 ops for restorative and one for extractions/surgery.
During the 4.5 days, dentists examined 187 patients, did 144 restorations (280 surfaces), 7 root canal treatments (front teeth) and 91 extractions. The Mayan people, from children to elders are small in stature but tough, resilient and thankful for CDRI volunteers care and fumbling efforts at the Spanish language.
The clinic, which has been in existence for about 5 years, is set up with donated equipment: it has a front office waiting room with 2 dental chairs for screening and/or dental preventive instruction,
3 complete dental ops, 2 washrooms and a sterilization room.
The facility caretaker has 2 daughters, Bella and Sandra, who looked after cleaning and instruments sterilization for the team. Carlos, an exceptional handyman, kept all the equipment functioning and as such, the group experienced very little downtime during the working days.
There is a dental group next in line for the clinic going in February from the Vancouver Dental Society. The clinic plan is to arrange various volunteer groups/individuals from across North America to provide year-round care for the local population and eventually have a medical component.
Unused supplies CDRI took for this humanitarian project, were left for future clinician’s use.
The rewards of being able to serve communities in need are priceless!
(by Dr. Eckert and Dr..Humeres)
Invitation from Optimum Guatemalan Relief Canada
