Dental Tribune United Kingdom Edition

About the author For further editorial details please tel- ephone 01395 274959 or email rose- mary@dentaid.org Heidi Robinson BDS. LDS RCS 13FeatureMarch 14-20, 2011United Kingdom Edition 13 up indoors. The most common treatment was tooth extractions as, since there is no electric- ity, drilling is out of the ques- tion. Extraction of decayed, infected and broken teeth is the only viable long-term option. The dentists and therapists became “extraction machines” treat- ing more than 200 patients on some days. The “post-op” recovery area was usually outside in the shade of the nearest mango tree, where the patients were given painkillers, antibiotics if necessary, and oral hygiene in- struction. ‘Jiggers’ Occasionally the team were presented with other prob- lems such as “jiggers” (worms) in the feet, abscesses, cellulitus, and burns which we treated as well as we could under the circumstances. Lunch was rice, beans and cabbages cooked on a fire outside the clinic. It was also time to let off steam, rest aching arms and play with the children – football, netball, Frisbee … there was a lot of laughter and fun all round. Most of the clinics were close to primary schools, so some time was spent teaching children about oral hygiene, which was also met with great hilarity. Many children, particularly during the first week around Kumi, had never seen white peo- ple or “bazungu” and they were fascinated, if a little wary, but were very willing to show us how to brush our teeth with a stick. The experience was an amaz- ing rollercoaster ride, with laugh- ter one minute and tears the next. It is impossible to know the long term impact of these clinics, but having treated nearly 2,000 patients in 10 days we are sure that they have made a posi- tive difference. Thank You I would not have been able to participate in this mission with- out donations from friends, fam- ily, acquaintances and complete strangers. Thank you so much for your support. It feels a little surreal be- ing home. We left Uganda in 30+C sunshine, so homecom- ing has been both a cultural and climatic shock! For further information con- tact Barbara Koffman on 07970 163798; email bkoffmancru@ hotmail.com or visit www.chris- tianreliefuganda.org DT ‘The experience was an amazing roller- coaster ride, with laughter one minute and tears the next’ Bien-Air UK Limited Arundel House Unit 1 - Ground Floor Amberley Court Whitworth Road Crawley, West Sussex, RH11 7XL Tel. +44 (0)1293 550200 Fax +44 (0)1293 520481 ba-uk@bienair.com www.bienair.com Micro-Series: welcome to a new dimension. 30% shorter and 23% lighter, Micro-Series offers perfect balance, exceptional power and versatility. The new Bien-Air Micro-Series offers ultra-short contra-angles and straight handpieces combined with the new state-of-the-art MX2 LED micromotor. With its ultra-compact size, the MX2 offers the same per- formance as our world leading MX micromotor. This includes power, versatility, and perfect speed control, as well as auto-reverse and torque limitation capabilities ideal for endo. Micro-Series: welcome to a new dimension. Micro-Series Turbine Standard version MICRO-SERIES COMPACT & POWERFUL 110047 MS_boxe_UK A4_Mise en page 1 09.02.11 08:39 Page1