At 12 years old, José Antonio had never been to a dentist.

EL FLORIDO ACEITUNO, Guatemala – For most children, going to the dentist is something to dread.

They fear the buzzing sound of the drills, the possible pain and discomfort, or the unwelcome diagnosis of a cavity. But 12-year-old José Antonio was nervous for an entirely different reason.

He had no idea what to expect because he had never been to a dentist.

José lives an hour outside of Guatemala City on a farm where his brothers and his father cultivate and harvest sugar cane. The little bit of money they earn is just enough to feed their family. There simply isn’t anything left over for things like dental care.

In fact, their rural community doesn’t even have a dentist.

José Antonio and 300 other children were given check-ups and brand new toothbrushes from OB Guatemala’s mobile dental clinic.

So when Operation Blessing’s mobile dental clinic arrived to their village and came to José’s school, it was a rare opportunity and blessing for this impoverished community.

“I was so scared,” José said, “I had never been to the dentist. I didn’t know what they would do.

Fortunately, José had nothing to worry about.  

“The dentist treated me very well and taught me how to care for my teeth,” he said.

Over the course of three days, the mobile clinic treated José Antonio and 300 other children, giving them free check-ups and brand new toothbrushes.

HOW YOU CAN HELP
Be a part of OBI's ongoing medical relief efforts by making an online contribution to help those suffering from extreme poverty and sickness.

 

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