International Dental Implant Asociaton Brings Smiles Through Charity to Dominican Republic
Dr. Atul Patel Along with IDIA Medical Team Delivers over $2 Million in Dental Care to Grateful Patients
Santo Domingo, Domincan Republic, January 6,2015 –The smiles on Dominican Republic citizens’ faces got a whole lot wider –and brighter- late last fall following the arrival of some 40 medical dental specialists from the United States and around the world as they launched a comprehensive dental treatment campaign entirely free of charge. Organized by the International Dental Implant Association (IDA), a leading provider of continuing education lectures and one of the world’s most successful live patient programs, the team delivered an estimated $2 millon in American?style medical dental care to over 250 underprivileged patients during its latest trip on November 28?30, 2014. The international effort was part of a continuing mission to bring state?of-the-art oral/dental care to thousands of underserved people in the Dominican Republic and around the world. Dr. Patel, as Diplomat of the select International Dental Implant Association, which includes 2,500 credentialed members, personally provided over $200,000 of free care during his time in?country, while also covering his flight, hotel, and all other supply costs.
“Dr. Patel’s effort, along with the entire team deserves the highest praise,” said Dr. Arun K.Garg, the IDA’s founder and president. “The Domincan Republic people are a diverse and unique group of individuals. As their country continues to undergo radical reforms, it’s incumbent on us doctors to help transform the country’s medical infrastructure and by extension, improve the lives of everyday citizens.”
New Smiles Mean New Opportunities
In addition to supplying medical equipment and performing much-needed dental procedures including socket preservations, implants, and sinus lifts, Dr. Patel and the rest of the IDIA team also helped raise local doctor and patient dental IQs. That way, enhanced post-operative maintenance reduces additional medical complications in the weeks between IDIA trips. The instructions also exposes Dominican Republic doctors to American-standard levels of care that they can then replicate and bring back to their own local communities, villages, and cities.
Thanks to these efforts, patients are on the road to permanent tooth replacement, resulting in improved nutrition and superior self-esteem. In a country where tourism dominates economic growth, the hospitality industry offers an important gateway out of poverty. These positions require individuals with friendly dispositions whose happy, healthy smiles transmit a sense of warmth and welcome to tourists. But as much as Dominican Republic patients gained from Dr. Patel and the rest of the IDIA team, doctors’ also learned plenty in return. Dr. Patel and his colleagues report that the four-day trip was one of the most rewarding experiences in their entire dental careers. The collaborative effort also brought fellow implant enthusiasts together to continue the pursuit of implant knowledge and credentialing.
“Providing advanced dental medical treatment and knowledge is but one tool in the global effort to deliver equal opportunity and the economic empowerment it promises,” Dr. Garg added. “I welcome Dr. Patel’s return on future trips and look forward to seeing him at our upcoming soft tissue live patient course in September”.
Contact Information
To learn more about he International Dental Implant Associaton and organization founder, Dr. Arun K. Garg, please contact the administration office @ 305.945?734 or email
admin@internationaldentalimplantsocation.com