Our 5th Guatemala Dental Mission Trip

We enjoyed another wonderful trip to Guatemala! It's good to be home and we are once again counting our blessings. Here are some highlights of our trip.




Wes came along as our translator. He was fabulous! We even had him giving fluoride varnishes. Wes didn't realize that the cotton rolls are for extractions, however, and not to be placed in the patient's nose.


He was also our educator, teaching the children how to use a toothbrush and brush their teeth. Ah, er, aw, well... maybe he wasn't the best suited to this assignment. (just kidding, Oreos do that to the best of us! He kept us all laughing and in good spirits!)

For 2 days we treated less-fortunate church members in Quezaltenango. The stake president pre-screened and sent those needing the most work. This family lost their mother a few months ago in a car crash. We gave these sisters rag dolls made by a new Beehive in our ward, Jolie Crowther. They loved the dolls!

This 13 year old was in severe need of dental work. Her front top teeth were badly abscessed, as the pictures show. Our procedures would be life changing for her. Without any care, she would lose all her front teeth, and her self-esteem would change for the rest of her life.

She received dental work from all three of the dentists, scalings, sealants, root canals, and restorative work that saved her teeth and will have a great impact on her life.

She was so happy, she was cried when she looked in the mirror.

A team effort!

Her mother lost her husband in December. He was drunk and passed out in the gutter, face down where he drowned. Alcohol destroys so many lives in this country.

She sobbed when she saw the finished results.





Culturally many Guatemalans are self-conscious about their teeth and it is very common to see them cover their smile with a rag, like this girl.

She bawled and bawled, until we gave her this doll.

Did I mention it was steamy?

A common sight. Most of the kids we treat will never see another dentist throughout their lifetime.


Logan sneaked one of his toys in his dad's suitcase to share with the children. This boy chose the toy and loved it.



The local t.v. station came to the school where we were working and did a news story on our visit. Since everyone else was busy treating patients, Wes got to be interviewed and was on t.v. We never saw the story, so we have no idea what he said to the reporters!

These two siblings are twins. Aren't they beautiful children?


Another wonderful trip!