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Strive-the Student View Intercultural Smiles in Honduras Oct. 8-24, 2005, the scenic mountains of El Mochito, Santa Barbara, Honduras were home to the International Externship Program (IEP) team of Oregon Institute of Technology (OIT). The IEP is a community health project designed to provide quality dental care to children and adults in other countries who have no access to basic dental care. The IEP team works in collaboration with Northwest Medical Teams, International (NWMTI). The 2005 IEP team include dental hygiene faculty Jill Torres, RDH, MEd, and Maria Chavez, RDH, and dental hygiene students Rachel Brewer, Brooke Depaul, Elizabeth Gordon, Laura Johnston, Meghan McCullough, Nicole McLin, Alicia Metke and Tina Lewandowski-Reneau. The team worked with two Honduran dentists, Jose Rodriguez, DDS, and Dr. Gloria de Corea, DDS, providing dental services to nearly 400 children. Treatment included fluoride application, sealants, fillings and extractions--in all, over $165,000 in services. Despite a lack of modern dental office technology, team members found satisfaction in taking care of patients who were desperately in need of dental treatment. Team members were flexible and innovative while setting up portable dental chairs, lights and equipment in a school classroom at Franklin Delano Roosevelt School in El Mochito. We worked in rotation to perform screenings, infection control, assisting, educating (with the help of translators), sealant placement, prophylaxes, amalgam and composite restoration placement and extractions. Every year during the planning phase of the IEP, team members explore options for different destinations, keeping in mind the need and availability of dentists for a chosen area. Once an area is chosen, they conduct research to determine the needs of the community, explore the culture, learn concepts of restorative work and develop additional skills. Each team member is responsible for a $2,000 team fee that includes airfare, ground travel, lodging, food and dental supplies. Fundraisers held locally in Klamath Falls, Ore., to fund the 2005 program included a Bowl-A-Thon with prizes donated from local businesses and a home tour featuring five local homes. The team also received a $1,000 donation of from the Klamath Falls Soroptimist International organization, whose mission and vision are "dedicated to community service with a special focus on women's issues." The Willamette Dental Organization, with a mission to "deliver superior care through a partnership with our patients to stop the disease/repair cycle by means of evidence-based methods of prevention and treatment,"donated $500. Other private donations were made to help the team keep expenses down. If you are interested in contributing to future IEP projects, please contact OIT faculty advisor Jill Torres at (541) 885-1366. The team learned we often take much for granted at home. Hondurans frequently lack adequate plumbing and hot water, telephone or Internet service, easy access to health care or traveling opportunities. The 2005 IEP team members would like to thank everyone for their help as we continue to keep involved in this program and watch it grow in the years ahead. Tina K. Lewandowski-Reneau is from Vacaville, Calif. and moved to Klamath Falls, Ore. in 1994. She began her dental hygiene career in 2001 at Oregon Institute of Technology. She plans to work in the southern Oregon and northern California areas after graduation.
Student dental hygienists traveled for hundreds of miles and from more than seven states to participate in the National Board Dental Hygiene review course held in conjunction with ADHA's Center for Lifelong Learning (CLL) held Feb. 3-5 in Spokane, Wash. Offered by ADHA to bring a low-cost national review course to students in regions around the nation, the course serves as a tangible benefit of their Student American Dental Hygienists' Association (SADHA) membership and an added incentive to become active ADHA members. Taught by Nancy Cherner, RDH, MS, and Barbara Bennett, CDA, RDH, MS, the 1.5-day session reviewed topics including test-taking strategies, case studies, clinical dental hygiene and radiology. "Bringing a low-cost national board review course to local students as part of ADHA's CLL is a wonderful association benefit," said Michelle McGaw of Spokane. "It offers a single mom like me, who can't really travel, the chance to take advantage of a high-quality review course at a truly affordable price, as well as the opportunity to get to know ADHA members and other practicing hygienists from the northwest area." Dental hygiene student Robert Castro of Great Falls, Montana agreed, saying, "The test-taking strategies were the most important aspect of the review course for me. The instructors did a great job in this area. The course offers something for everyone, regardless of their learning style." Students also got the opportunity to network with practicing hygienists participating CLL as well as the corporate sponsors that helped make the regional event possible. "Students participating in this event get a great opportunity to mingle and network with professionals who are doing creative things with their careers," said Rebecca Stolberg, RDH, MS, chair of the dental hygiene program at Eastern Washington University, co-host of the event. "I really think this conference serves the association well by showing new professionals [students] what ADHA can do for them in their careers and what kinds of options are open to them professionally." -Jeff Mitchell The American Dental Hygienists' Association would like to offer its gratitude to the 2005-2006 Student Advisory Board to the Committee on Student Affairs for their work on behalf of the ADHA and its student members.
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By Tina Lewandowski-Reneau
El
Mochito, located near Lake Yojoa, the only lake in Honduras, is known
for its mining of nickel and copper. Dental hygiene students who participated
on the IEP team were introduced to the Honduran community, culture and
customs. The Honduran people seemed very happy and easy-going, but the
team was surprised by the number of armed military guards present. 
Teachers,
parents and students met us when we arrived every morning with smiles
and greetings of "buenos dias." Each day, we saw children from
a different school. Many had to walk miles to get to us, while others
arrived in the back of an overflowing pickup truck. The children made
"pulsette" bracelets, which was thoughtful and very heartwarming
to each of us. They were excited to teach us new words in Spanish. We
did our best, but found it challenging to explain dental treatment. However,
sixth-graders from a local bilingual school interpreted for us. 
Being
a part of this experience was wonderful professionally and personally,
as I questioned my personal limits to embrace new challenges. We were
strangers in a foreign land who stood together as a team and worked, helped
and cared for each other. We were privileged to have the opportunity to
explore the waterfall Catarata de Pulhapanzak, which is located in the
village of San Buenaventura, north of Lake Yojoa. Gaining a better understanding
of the differences between U.S. and Honduran ecology, technology, currency
and communication were aspects of this intercultural experience. Driving
in Honduras is scary, as there seem to be no lines, speed limit laws or
passing lanes. We found that Honduran drivers honk their car horns often
and for undetermined reasons.
