“We will work within our community to assist other professionals with the diverse needs of their patients while supporting the development of ourselves and other professionals by pursuing and providing dental education.”
Waiting for an appointment in Bella Vista
Dr. Albert has traveled each year since 2011 with third-year dental students from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine to work with underserved residents of Honduras. From 2005 to 2010 he and the dental students served in Belize and from 2001 to 2004 he was the faculty representative for trips to the Amazon River Basin in Peru.
Public health clinics, schools, and churches are used as temporary clinics to provide care for residents.
Church in Siene Bight which we converted to a dental clinic for a day. Our clinical setting is dependent on local resources such as tables, benches, and often plastic lawn furniture. We bring our own supplies and equipment.Group photo opportunity at Siene Bight. Group size varies from year to year based on availability of the dental students and the anticipated capacity of communities we plan on visiting. Students and faculty from the dental hygiene program at Tunxis Community College have participated the last two years, and provided many residents dental cleanings while we have performed oral surgery and restorative services.
Our clinic insideSterilization team
Third- and fourth-year students from the University of Connecticut School of Dental Medicine volunteer to travel to areas of need to provide oral surgery and restorative services for those who have poor access to care. During the weeklong trips, these future dentists accelerate in their learning on how to become doctors by adapting to difficult situations and limited resources. UConn’s students, some of their parents, and faculty have been to Honduras, Galapagos, Belize, Chile, Paraguay, Peru, and South Africa, as well as to Native American reservations.Drs. Albert and Randy Greenberg (Wallingford, CT) working together with a third-year student to save a teenager’s tooth with root canal treatment and a crown buildup. Treatment was completed in the public health dental clinic (Polyclinic) in Dangriga Hospital. Our public health dentist from Belize observes our progress and helped coordinate the trip. The next year, Dr. Albert returned and placed a crown for long-term stability and strength.
Classroom education on mission tripsPediatric treatment with the parent while on lawn furniture
Public health clinic at banana plantationInside the clinic
Balancing work and play on a trip to Belize’s barrier reefLearning about more than teeth
Local travel for work and play on the Hokey PokeyMixing in history lessons with teeth
“We will work within our community to assist other professionals with the diverse needs of their patients while supporting the development of ourselves and other professionals by pursuing and providing dental education.”
Locally, Dr. Albert and some of his staff members have supported and worked in the CSDA’s Connecticut Mission of Mercy, held in each year in various towns throughout the state. For more general information from the Connecticut State Dental Association, click here.
Please feel free to browse the Connecticut State Dental Association website as well here.
In March 2009, we participated in the first-ever Hartford Mission of Mercy on Albany Avenue at the community health center, even traveling with one of our dental lasers.
