Kennewick dentist bringing smiles to Guatemala

  • 2016-09-11
Dr. Bart Roach, a dentist in Kennewick, has made a name for himself thanks to his volunteer work, and will be continuing his humanitarian work this fall.

The dentist regularly travels to Guatemala to perform dental checkups and other dental services on people living in a fishing community on the Pacific coast. He will be returning to the Central American country this November, over the Thanksgiving holiday.

Dr. Roach will bring a team of other dentists and dental professionals, as well as lay volunteers. He anticipates having a team of six dentists along with him.

During his last visit, in April, Dr. Roach and his team encountered a unique problem; they worked with more than 400 patients and often found that they did not have enough space properly treat everyone. There are only three restorative chairs available, so he and his team ended up seating patients in Lay-Z-Boy recliners when performing extractions.

To help cover the costs of additional dental chairs, Dr. Roach has set up a GoFundMe page, on which he is trying to raise $10,000. The funds raised would go to purchasing three additional chairs, plus equipment and a sterilizer.

Volunteers can use local printing companies to help get the word out about fundraisers and donation drives. It is important for people making donations to know where their money is going, and printed Brochures or Flyers can fully educate them. In the case of Dr. Roach's trip, all the money raised goes to the purchase of chairs and equipment only. Volunteers who travel to Guatemala pay their own way there.
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