Gregory L. Psaltis, DDS
Dr. Psaltis’s Website: www.psaltis.info
E-mail: drpsaltis@orcalink.com
Phones:
360-413-5760
Heart Work is Not Hard
(Volunteering to your highest good)
Local Program in Your Community or Office
Gospel Rescue Missions
• 300 Associated Missions around the US
• Provided more than 240,000 medical and dental
visits for the poor in 2006
• Rely on volunteers and donations to run,
500,000+ volunteers
• Allow you to set your own schedule, accept
donated supplies
• Release you of responsibility of accepting
patients to your practice
• Multiple Gospel Missions in EVERY state
Treat Patients in Your Office
• Bring in patients who are in need from your
local dental society
• Help out your own patients who are having hard
times
• Agree to treat at no charge
• Tell the patients you only want their discretion
as your pay
• Charge rent to establish that patients are NOT
patients of record in your practice
• Limit number of patients you will see
• Sign up with Head Start, GKAS, ABCD programs
(see details below on page 2)
Mobile Dental Clinics
• These clinics have flexibility and advertising
to access patients in need
• Rely on volunteer dentists and auxiliary
• Good for screenings, cleanings and some
treatment
• Rely on volunteer offices for management &
involved procedures
• Backed by schools, non-profit organizations or
dental insurance companies
• Great team project when the clinic is in your
community
• Allows you to schedule mobile clinic patients in
your office
Sign up for existing programs
Give Kids a Smile
• Website: ada.org/prof/events/featured/gkas/2008_content_symposium_proceedings.asp
• Website: www.gkas.com
• Look for “How to take your program to the next
level”
• Explanations for how to organize and sustain
small, medium and large programs
• ADA support for this program is very impressive
Project Stretch
• Website: projectstretch.fotki.com
• Domestic programs to help those who returned to
New Orleans after Katrina
• Dental screenings/fluoride application to
children of migrant workers in Boston area
• Focus on education & sustainable fluoride
programs for children
• Provide urgent care and preventive sealants in
some areas with portable dental units
• International programs:
o Nicaragua
o Chile
o Venezuela—temporarily suspended due to unstable
political situations.
• Work with dental professionals in some areas to
create ongoing care & fluoride programs
Kikuyu Hospital Dental Clinic in Kikuyu, Kenya
• Website: kikuyuhospitaldentalclinic.org
• Volunteers come from around the world
• Comprehensive care provided for children and
adults
• Dr. Nelson Malenya is director and open to
correspondences
Honduras programs
• Website: www.hth.org
• Holistic ministry seeking to fill spiritual and
material needs of the poor
• Reach out in compassion with kindness
• To schedule your own trip/team/mission, template
available
• Missions focus on dental, medical, construction
of new health facilities & schools
Health Volunteers Overseas
• Website: www.hvousa.org
• Emphasis on instruction in dental schools and,
in one location, patient care**
• International programs:
o Cambodia
o China
o Laos
o Nicaragua
o St. Lucia**
o Tanzania
o Vietnam
• Housing is sometimes provided, usually not
• Most commitments are for two weeks
• The ADA works closely with HVO
Create Your Own Program
In Your Own Office
• Gospel Missions, Mobile dental vans, free care
on limited basis
• Customize your own ideas with an existing
program (GKAS, Headstart, etc.)
• Focus on what you and your Team ENJOY doing
• Have a release form to avoid “patients of
record” problems
• Spell out conditions of the agreement and have
patients sign it
International Project—Zihuatenejo, Mexico
• Locate a place that tugs at your heart or you
have a special affinity to
• Meet with ‘locals’ to help you make
arrangements: location to work,
Customs, translation, equipment receiving, lodging
• Many cities have sources for donation to help
you out
• Involve your dental team/friends/family
• Involve other specialties creating teams;
surgery, gerodontics, pedo…
• Set up the program to do what YOU want;
education, treatment, helping
build clinics, schools…
• Infuse vacation time to give more to the
community
International Project—Baja, Mexico
• History—making critical contacts
• Finding a space to work
• Legalities
• Proper documentation
• Customs issues
• Equipment
• Supplies
• Corporate sponsors
Summary oft Websites
Give Kids a Smile:
• Website: ada.org/prof/events/featured/gkas/2008_content_symposium_proceedings.asp
• Website: www.gkas.com
Project Stretch:
• Website: www.projectstretch.fotki.com
Kenya project in Kikuyu:
• Website: www.kikuyuhospitaldentalclinic.org
Hearts to Honduras:
• Website: www.hth.org
Health Volunteers Overseas:
• Website: www.hvousa.org
Check out the American Dental Association website for possibilities,
too:
• Website: ada.org
Also be sure to try to google:
“Volunteer dental opportunities” (you can specify domestic or
international)