About me, or about what I do?! Either way. You’ll get both!
About me: My name is Shaylene. I have been a dental assistant, or E.D.D.A, in Colorado for over 15 years. I have always loved what I do. I fix, clean, x-ray, and so much more, teeth! Its not a job for everyone. But neither is a proctologist… we all have our things. I enjoy teaching adults how to floss and helping young children through scary dental procedures. I enjoy what I do!
About Global Dental Relief (GDR): Global Dental Relief provides preventive care and oral health education to children with little access to a dentist. In partnership with local organizations, field clinics are set up at schools and municipal facilities, with the exception of Kenya, where clinics are held in a local medical center. In these clinics, children receive an exam, restorations and extractions as needed, a cleaning when possible, a fluoride treatment, sealants and oral health instruction. Care is provided primarily to restore permanent teeth and children are recalled every two years to ensure long term health. A typical clinic has six to seven dental chairs and is staffed by a volunteer work team of 12-16. Volunteer work teams include up to five dentists, three hygienists, and ten non dental volunteers. Clinics operate eight to nine hours per day for five to six days. Between 500 and 1,000 patients are served depending on how much care each child needs.
At Global Dental Relief the mission is to bring free dental care to children throughout the world. Volunteer dentists, hygienists, assistants and non-dental volunteers deliver treatment and preventive care in dental clinics that serve children in schools, orphanages and remote villages. With a vision to transform lives and cultivate community through volunteerism, GDR provides opportunities for diverse groups of volunteers to explore the world and bring free dental care and oral hygiene education to thousands of impoverished children in Nepal, India, Guatemala, Vietnam, Kenya and Cambodia. In many parts of the world, dentists are few and the cost of care is financially beyond reach. For most of the children we treat, Global Dental Relief provides their first formal experience with a dentist. Without volunteer dental care, children develop gum disease, bone loss, and infection leading to systemic problems. They struggle with sleep, eating, school work. They loose their teeth, smiles and self-esteem.
In order to volunteer with GDR and go on these adventures, you have to raise a certain amount of money. I don’t get paid to do it, as some people have thought. As I am not a dentist, just the assistant, so I am basically broke. I have had to plan and execute several fundraisers! It is a lot of work. I have discovered some true friends in my attempts at a poker tournament, silent auction, and a chili cook-off. But I did get to spread the word about this organization and what I do to friends and family. I made this site for all of the people along the way who have donated $1-$1000 dollars. This is so you can see exactly where your donations are doing and what I am doing.
Why did I get involved with Global Dental Relief: I never became a dental assistant to have a six-figure income. I figured I would always have a job in demand, but more so, I wanted to help. With this organization, I get to travel and help children. And am so lucky that this is what I love to do.