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DENTISTRY CAN ENABLE YOU TO BE
A BLESSING TO OTHER MISSIONARIES TOO!
MISSIONARIES HELPING MISSIONARIES
"I am a medical practitioner working in Senegal. I have known Gerry
Beauchemin for 10 years. When we first arrived in Senegal it soon became
obvious that dental problems were a bigger felt need than medical. This
was because the medical system is easily accessible but most people are
too afraid and cannot afford to go to dentists who are few and far
between. People travel up to 50 km to see me. Dentistry has proved
to be a very useful adjunct to our ministry, providing contact with the
community and a means to express Christ's love to them.
I have sat under Gerry to add to my skills through his Dental Training
For Missions course. Through the course, missionaries with no previous
dental or medical experience are taught to provide basic dental hygiene
teaching, and learn to recognize and treat dental caries using a state
of the art technique for filling cavities which only requires simple
hand instruments and easily obtained materials. Students are
personally tutored through the theoretical material and given practice
on dental dummies before treating the dental caries of real people under
supervision. All students are supplied with a full kit which will enable
them to fill teeth safely in their countries of ministry at the end of
the course..
I highly recommend the course for all missionaries working in developing
countries particularly those working in rural areas where access to
dental services is poor. It gives the community another reason to value
the presence of the missionary among them, and opportunities to show how
the love of Christians is different to the attitude of those who do not
know Christ. The nature of dental problems and the fear associated
with them means there is real potential for bonding with the grateful
patient, opening doors which might otherwise remain closed. Preventative
dental hygiene teaching provides opportunities to make contact with
whole communities by providing teaching through villages, schools
or health posts. All good reasons why missionaries should be involved."
Dr Richard Shawyer
11/20/2003
Richard & Roxanne Shawyer ( shawyer@sentoo.sn )
c/o M.E.A.O.
B.P. 8 Richard Toll Senegal
Tel (221) 963 7000
Working for a church among the 3 million Wolof people of Senegal. Can
you help?
Check out our website: http://www.bcconline.org/wolof/
or http://www.hotkey.net.au/~mjackson
Dear Gerry,
Thank you for giving me the opportunity to let others know about the
impact that becoming a "Community Dental Worker" has had in our
ministry in Jamaica. Since my training in 2003? or late 2002- I have
done on average of two clinics per week. My husband spends the day with
me and we start with having the Jamaicans at the clinic fill out a
"Spiritual check-up form" along with a medical History. My husband then
talks with those who have spiritual questions or needs and many have
come to a fuller knowledge of Christ. Many already proclaim to know the
Lord but they have no understanding of Grace. So through Gentle and
Compassionate Dentistry and Counseling, many Jamaicans leave our clinics
more secure in their salvation, more educated in Grace and definatly
feel better physically, due to intervention through dental care.
We show Christian films during our dental
clinics, some geared to the children and we have even showed the "The
Jesus Film" and "The Passion" The clinics are a wonderful inroad and a
way to earn respect through out the communities we serve. It has
deepened our relationships, and our presence is veiwed as a help and
support for many.
Although our "practice of dentistry" would not be favored by the
government here....we find the Churchs open and the Pastors thankful for
our service. God has provided protection and we have never had an issue
with the Ministry of Health.
I want to thank you for the training I received, although rigourous and
demanding at times it was well worth it. There have been transistional
times in our ministry where we have had to hold off on the Dental
ministry and I was fearful that I would forget what I have learned, but
it
always just takes a few hours of refreshing myself with the the
Literature you provided and my notes from training to bring me back up
to speed!
I would recommend this course to anyone who is seeking a way to reach
out to their community, it is a wonderful way to show Christ's amazing
love and to earn the respect of the people you have come to serve!
I became interested in Dental Training for Missions -not because of
"Teeth" but because of a need to find a fit, to fill a need, and to
fulfill my call to God!
Thank you Gerry for allowing God to Use
you in such a powerful way!
Yours in Christ,
Teri Nichols
December 12, 2006
TEAMS For Medical Missions
Jamaica Ministries Coordinator
Boscobel PO St Mary
Jamaica West Indies
876-322-6214
876-322-8747
nichols@t4mm.org
nicholsmission@yahoo.com
“SMILES”
Six ugly blackened teeth stared back at me. A year earlier I would have
panicked at the sight, but here was a golden opportunity to show an
entire Mexican village what practical dentistry was able to do. The man
was a leader in the local church and known by everyone in the vicinity.
Within a short period of time I had removed all the caries and made
permanent fillings for him. His ear to ear smile was well-worth the
effort. At the next church service I noticed his young daughter
continually examining his teeth as if she didn’t recognize who he was.
It was a touching moment for me in my recently discovered dental
ministry.
Doing village dentistry is extremely challenging, but also extremely
rewarding. I have found it to be a very practical way of showing God’s
love to the poor and needy.
No one could possibly be as uncoordinated and inept as I am and yet with
the Lord’s help and Gerry’s patient encouragement I have been doing
village dentistry on my own for the past year. A week of practicing on a
model and another week of ‘on the job’ training in Mexico is enough to
get a person started in this ministry. I have found that the more I use
my dental training the more skillful I have become.
All you need to bring to the ministry is a compassionate heart and a
desire to serve Jesus Christ. Gerry’s individualized tutoring will
enable you to recognize different dental problems and how to handle
them. You will be a competent ‘field dentist’ after completing this two
week course. Gerry also provides a basic dental kit so you are ‘ready
to roll’ as soon as you complete your training.
Gary Fenwick Missionary to Mexico
garyfenwick@online.ie
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Walter Melnyk writes…
Since our first medical trip to the Ukraine we have been to many
countries doing medical missions outreaches. Countries such as Syria,
Ukraine and Armenia. On most of our trips I have been used in many ways
to assist Doctors, Nurses and medical staff in one way or another.
Although I did enjoy this work I felt that God had something greater for
me to do….
After contacting Gerry and getting signed up for his training Gerry got
me started studying at home first, then I took a trip to Brownsville for
on site training and also hands on training in Mexico. What a joy it was
working with Gerry. He was very confident in what he was training and
also explained everything very well. I would have never believed I could
learn such a skill and use it in the mission field. But that was exactly
what happened.… What a surprise it was for the dentists. There I was
fixing cavities on children and filling them. It got to the point that
the Dentists loved my material (Fuji IX) and asked if they could use it.
This was truly a dream come true...
We shared with them that we are Christians and we love all Gods people.
We will never know how many lives were changed…
I have learned a skill I can use anywhere I go. Thanks Gerry, you truly
were an answer from God. Keep up the good work.
Walter Melnyk
330-823-0399 wmukraine1@hotmail.com
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Charles Clahoun writes…
The course was a blessing. It enables me to not only to tell people
about Jesus, but to show his love through the dental care.
Charles Clahoun Ministry to Haiti/Mexico
(850) 576-1972 cclahoun@msn.com
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MEXICAN BIBLE SCHOOL DIRECTOR APPRECIATES OUR TEAM'S SERVICE
From: Jorge E. Mercado
To: jnmorgn11@netzero.com
Cc: cchristianchurch@rgv.rr.com
Sent: Friday, January 20, 2006 12:07 PM
Subject: Gus Morgan: Thank you for the wonderful group of dentists you
sent!
Dear Gus,
I just want to thank you so much for sending such a wonderful group of
dentists, Gerry & Denise Beauchemin and Dee & Janet Danner. They did an
outstanding job providing dental service to more than 70 people. All the
patients they saw were Colegio Biblico students, personnel, and their
children; 64 - 68 from our Mexico campus and 4 from Eagle Pass who made
the trip to Piedras Negras to receive attention there. We really lost
count of all the fillings they did, but I know that in many cases they
did 5-7 fillings to one person and at least 3-4 per person in the rest
of the patients they saw. There were a few teeth pulled out as well and
many many clean ups.
We were all very impressed by the dentists' Christian character not to
mention their professionalism. They were so kind, humble, and willing to
serve that our students and personnel were surprised to hear them say
thanks for the opportunity to serve when in reality it was us who should
have been and were thankful to them.
We have received many work groups in Colegio Biblico and every one of
them has made an impression on us, however, this group of dentists is
the best ever.
Thank you so much for your willingness to attend with PRONTITUD my
request for dental service for students and personnel. Please convey our
gratitud to everyone involved in making this dental brigade possible. I
will be more then glad to write thank you letters for them if I can have
their contact info.
May God continue to bless you in all ways!
In Christ's service,
Jorge E. Mercado
Colegio Biblico President
jmercado@colegiobiblico.net
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Janet Danner writes…
The course you teach is fantastic. I can hardly wait until I have the
opportunity to take care of someone’s teeth and hopefully share the love
of Christ.
I left not only feeling well equipped to care for a person’s dental
needs – but I also left with lots of new ideas on how to approach
performing dentistry on the mission field.
You covered several different aspects of dentistry in a very comfortable
setting…I think its amazing what you are able to teach in two weeks
time…
Janet Danner (dental assistant and wife of a VA dentist)
CrewCheifJ@aol.com
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Judy Bartle writes…
First of all, being a nurse, I have been trained in the need to look at
patients in a holistic manner. I think there is ample research to show
that dental health is an overall indicator of a person’s general health
and that to provide healthcare one must assess and treat any dental
issues.
I feel that it does enhance my ministry as a nurse practitioner
providing healthcare in a third world setting. In the country in which I
do most of my work, health care is almost nonexistent and dental care is
even more compromised.
We always present a gospel message to the children we work with in the
orphanages. Many will raise their hands in response. We must leave the
eternal results to the Lord but we pray that they feel the love of Jesus
through our gentle touch and compassion.
I spent two weeks with Gerry in intense instruction. We worked from 8:00
or 9:00 in the morning to about 4:00 in the afternoons doing hands on
practice with teaching mannequins and models. The next week we spent our
time going out to remote sites and actually doing ART on real patients.
In the evenings, we would have some homework and reading assignments to
complete.
I feel that the training was adequate to give a base of knowledge to
build on with experience in the field to fine tune the skills. The
techniques were not hard to learn. However, being a nurse probably gave
me an advantage because I was already used to working on real people and
doing procedures. I do enjoy the practice of dentistry. I am very much a
hands on type of person and the ART restorative therapy is a very hands
on experience.
I felt that the quality of the instruction was very good and Gerry is a
very patient teacher giving constructive feedback and hands on
supervision. I would heartily recommend this course to anyone and have
considered sending my daughter to this course.
Judy Bartle
573-341-3132 Nurseapn50@aol.com
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Yulia Lynn writes...
I had a lot of reservations about going through a program like this
since I do not have any medical background other than medical
interpreting. But I felt a strong leading from the Holy Spirit to apply.
The training was not easy. During the training we covered a lot of
information as well as hands on learning in a short period of time (two
weeks!). And, we were taught how to do things very accurately and
carefully. It was a little like dental boot camp.
But, though this program was hard for me it was also empowering. With
this skill I could potentially work in any 2/3 world country alongside
any ministry. Everyone has teeth. Jewish, Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist and
Christian all suffer from tooth decay. Whether the ministry is to street
children, prostitutes, post modern youth, punks, those suffering from
alcohol or drug abuse, professional business men and women, those in
prison, from remote tribal areas to mega-cities, the elderly, the sick,
and people with disabilities; all of these people have teeth and care
when they lose their teeth. And, if they care than it is an opportunity
to love their hearts through their teeth.
I'm really looking forward to finding out what God would have me do with
this skill!
Yulia Lynn
763/566-3019 yulya@cerzan.net
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Austin Klint writes…
Ever since I received training from Dental Training for Missions, people
have been asking me if I have found it useful for my ministry and every
time I give the same response, "Most assuredly!"
In my mind, effective mission work is done only when relationships are
established with the people among whom you are working and all too often
this relationship building process is replaced by a quick-in, quick-out
patient consultation process where getting the job done becomes your
only goal.
With ART restoration you, as a dentist, get to build those relationships
with your patients by taking the time to provide gentle and relatively
pain-free dentistry; and trust me, those relationships will be formed
through it. I am sure that everyone currently using ART has had
experiences like my own, where you go from working on a patient during
the day to having dinner with them that night, getting to shine the
compassion of Christ through your work during the day to sharing the
gospel of Christ with them at night.
I will never regret getting this training nor will I ever forget the
opportunities that it has brought to my ministry. For such a small
investment of time and resources the benefits that it provides are
immeasurable. I would suggest that anyone who is considering using
medicine to open doors to people's hearts should broaden their ministry
to include dental work.
Austin Klint - To Every Tribe Ministries
mementomori_nb@yahoo.com
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Robertino Maldonado writes…
I am a missionary in Oaxaca Mexico among un-reached indigenous people
groups. I took the Dental Training for Missions course in May 06 as a
means to open doors with the un-reached. It was very personal and hands
on. Though it was very intense, Gerry's teaching technique made it
possible for me to be ready in time for my first patients in Matamoros.
By the time the course was over, I was very ready and confident to work
on patients in Oaxaca.
If you know Oaxaca villages, they are very much communistic. One cannot
simply go in. The villager’s trust must be earned first before they will
even listen to you share the gospel. Oaxaca is a very closed state. But
I was given the opportunity to work on a man in Yucunama who expressed
great gratitude afterward. He didn't seem to treat me as a friend any
more but almost like family.
This course has been a blessing and I have already begun to encourage
others to consider it. It was not hard at all. It was intense in that
there was quality to maintain with a lot to cover at once, yet I
wouldn't define it as a hard course. Mr. Beauchemin leaves no student
behind but has a goal to make sure you reach your potential. I am glad I
took the course. The smiles it produced in the end are priceless!
Robertino Maldonado Global Frontier Missions
robertinomaldonado@cten.org
The Dentistry For Missions program is comprehensive. Gerry met me at the
plane and began his lectures on the way to our housing. Quickly, upon
arrival, I met Mack, the dummy, whose teeth I excavated, filled,
re-excavated and re-filled many times. I examined Mack, in mock triage
and
learned to scale his teeth.
The school included a study on materials, sterile technique, and
procedures. This was reinforced daily in the discussions with Gerry and
through his lectures as I watched and then applied the principles of
Atraumatic Restorative Treatment (ART).
The school included trips into Mexico for clinics that often extended
into the evenings. Gerry performed diagnoses and funneled patients to me
with caries that I could excavate with a spoon excavator, a dental
chisel, and hand drill, before preparing the cavity and filling it with
glass-ionomer cement . We then sent the patient on their way with a
saved tooth and the
satisfaction that we had helped them.
Even as we traveled, Gerry's questions often included: "Tell me all you
know about ART. or....Does black caries have to be removed?"
The school is for missionaries and includes the spiritual life. Prayers
are offered for those patients that so desire. All the time the student
and instructor are in prayer for knowledge and help in learning,
administering, and helping those in need.
Not only are the principles of dental care taught, but one is taught low
cost methods of setting up a clinic with simple items that are readily
available, and easily transportable without causing problems or
suspicion.
The school is a must for those missionaries that have no dentist and a
need to preserve and restore the oral health of those they serve.
This newly learned information will help the children of Honduras as I
strive to improve their oral health.
Yours in Christ,
Tom Vancel pharmacist / short term missionary
11/07/2003
39 Susan Drive,
Thomasville, Ga. 31757
Phone (229) 226-5892
Dear brother Gerry and family
Greetings from Nepal. I am sorry for not been able to write to you
earlier as I was away from home. Even though short time to practice but
I am doing this, I really enjoying this, in fact this has been helping
me to witness Christ to my area. I am slowly getting used to it now,
every week on
Saturday I witness this to someone. This is been so much good tool for
me to learn. God is blessing this work here. How is your family??
I hope they all are doing good. Thank you so much
again for all your love, care and teachings!!
Ramesh Sapkota
GNCC NEPAL
11/13/2003
Having
a mouthful of fillings and a fear of pain, it was a blessing to be
treated with gentle and compassionate care, and a lot of time, to find
the cause of a toothache, and fix it, without losing the tooth, or
having to have a root canal!
I really appreciated
having a safe and affordable place to go and I appreciate the talents
and skill (and patience!) you used in treating me! We also appreciate
your training of Bridgitte, and how happy she is in her work there, and
most of all, that she has also come to know and serve the Lord. Thanks
so much for your ministry!
Debby Bosley
New Tribes Mission
My family and I would like to heartily endorse the
dental ministry of Gerry Beauchemin. We feel ourselves very fortunate
to be able to call upon him for our dental needs here in Senegal. My
wife and I have both been blessed by the swift and efficient dental
care we have received. I was particularly blessed in having a very
annoying dental care serviced so expertly. My children have also
appreciated the care they have received in having their teeth cleaned
on a regular basis. I know of a number of other missionaries who have
greatly appreciated his diligent and gentle ministry. He is a very
approachable and conscientious man and greatly esteemed in the
missionary community.
G.A.FENWICK
LIBRARIAN
DAKAR ACADEMY
DAKAR, SENEGAL
Gerry,
I
just wanted to say thanks for your work at Keru Yakaar. I remember when
my son was 3 years old and had a cavity. We were new in the country and
didn't have very good language skills. You did a great job of helping
us make it through that situation. Thanks for being there.
Tim Cline
Southern Baptist Mission
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HOW IS IT POSSIBLE TO LEARN ALL THIS IN SEVEN DAYS?
The program consist of a minimum of one week home self-study and seven
days of clinical training. A solid foundation can be laid in two weeks
upon which one can build through on the job self-training. We have
selected only a few key procedures, and have kept them as simple as
possible. The mastery of these skills will come with experience. In
addition, we will maintain e-mail communication with our former
students in the field to help them deal with whatever problems or
questions that they may have.
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