A Dental Mission to Save Smiles and Lives in Honduras

October 11, 2024

Here’s a fact that’s hard to swallow: Almost half the world’s population—3.5 billion people—suffers from oral diseases. These conditions extend far beyond oral health to the rest of our body. Many countries suffer due to limited access to dental care. However, since many oral diseases are preventable with regular care and hygiene, oral health care can immediately improve a person’s well-being. And for many patients, all that’s missing is financial access to a dentist. So, at the Indiana University School of Dentistry at Fort Wayne, dental students are taking these matters into their own hands—literally.

In a remarkable journey, eight senior dental hygiene students embarked on a dental mission to Comayagua, Honduras, in January 2024. They were part of Sonrisa Siempre, a non-profit organization founded over two decades ago by the director of the IU Fort Wayne Clinic (IUFWC), Steven Ellinwood, DDS, DMD, and his colleague Tom Blake, DDS. Starting as a small idea, this program has grown into a life-changing opportunity for dental students to enrich their education while making a tangible difference in community health around the world. Their organization has three distinct objectives: 1) Provide dental service to those in need, 2) improve oral health awareness and literacy, and 3) mentor young dentists who desire more experience and knowledge. Since 2009, the organization has met and often exceeded those goals, helping thousands with dental care and education.

Sonrisas Siempre aimed to provide more than just typical dental care during their mission. They strived to achieve restorative care with their Honduran patients, restoring teeth that would otherwise be removed at a routine dental appointment. Along with dental education, preventative care was taught to help patients maintain their oral health after the Sonrisas visits. “During one visit, the number of cavities in an orphanage of over 40 children was reduced to only a handful,” said Ellinwood, “simply by educating the children and guardians on good dental health practices.” This is just one of the many instances in which Sonrisas and IUFW students have impacted the Comayagua community.

For the students, the program is not just an academic endeavor; it’s a transformative journey that expands their perspectives and fosters personal growth. Payton Warfield, one of the eight participants, echoed this sentiment, sharing how her experience in Honduras reshaped her perspective on dentistry. “[This experience] showed how dental hygiene can really affect a community, and [how harmful] the lack of resources can have on someone’s overall health.”

Warfield’s favorite part of the program was helping the children. “[They] were nervous [at first], but by the end, we received a hug from them,” she said. “They were so grateful.” While caring for them, she witnessed a staggering difference between the oral health of children in Comayagua as opposed to those back home in Bloomington. For instance, the children in Honduras had cavities primarily due to their limited access to toothbrushes and toothpaste. However, according to research, most American cases are due to ineffective use of their toothbrushes and toothpaste.

As Warfield reflected on her experience in Honduras, she considered it invaluable preparation as she transitions from dental student to dental professional. “I want to do my best to provide for my community here. I want to try to help people get access to general [dental care].”

Even if you’re not among the students who travel with Sonrisa Siempre, the IUFWC’s curriculum provides opportunities to serve those in need. For instance, four times a semester, senior dental students visit Matthew 25, a healthcare clinic that provides services to low-income areas. “We get to see how our professors work with patients and how they service the community [in real time],” said Warfield, “and then we get that first-hand experience of actually helping in the community.”

One thing is clear: Dental health is not just important, it’s vital for everyone, whether in Honduras or Indiana. Thankfully, IUFWC students and faculty are reaching out their hands to change lives.