Day 4: Wednesday March 3, 2010
Elise hit all the high points from Wednesday. But I just noticed a few differences between Moldovans and Americans today. After struggling to get out of bed this morning and waking up with a headache we went to the 'McDrive' at McDonalds. All the Americans ordered coffee, but the Moldovans didn't. I didn't think much of it at first but they knew something we didn't. There's no such thing as fast food and eating in your car in Moldova. The roads have tons of potholes and as we were bouncing up and down on the way to Strasheni--coffee and sugar was flying everywhere.
Once we arrived, we did our photo-op and interviews and then got to work. I was so pumped about the extractions that I jumped on the opportunity to do it again. This time...not so much. Victor, my patient, cried his way out of getting the extractions. No amount of reassurance helped him (plus he didn't understand English). Oh well...
I worked with Oxsana (the PhD student) today and we had our ipod shuffles playing. She's shy and reserved, but very sweet and funny. I died laughing when Coolio's 'Gangster's Paradise' came on and she started rapping the lyrics to me. We were having too much fun! I guess Moldovans and Americans aren't that different after all....
Wednesday, March 3, 2010
Guerrilla Dentistry in the Countryside
Tuesday
Patrick, Dr. Garland, Vanessa his dental assitant, Oxsana (a Moldova dentist) and I were at Straseni ("Strah-SHEEN") orphanage in the countryside screening and working with children. The room I was in had only one overhead light working and an old dental chair whose suction didn't work. We made do with what we had and practiced what we call "guerilla dentistry" - having the children spit in a bowl instead of sucking out saliva, using the instruments we had efficiently and fashioning the items we needed. I was able to do a couple of fillings and a lot of sealants for the kids who are so sweet! Even when they're scared you can tell that they are grateful to receive treatment.
After helping at the orphanage all afternoon, we loaded up in the van to run home and get ready for dinner with the US Ambassador at his residence. We only had about 30 minutes to grab a quick shower, but Brittany and I found out that our hot water wasn't working! Again, when in Moldova you have to make do, so we cleaned up as well as we could and made it out the door. Unfortunately when we arrived we found out Ambassador Chaudri had the flu so he was unable to make it, but we enjoyed his delicious dinner anyway.
After the dinner, most of the team went out on the town to celebrate Dr. Mango's 40th birthday! What a great end to a good day in the field.
Wednesday
Today the entire team was at Straseni (after a quick trip through the "McDrive" at McDonald's for some coffee). The Moldovan media came and interviewed Dr. Horowitz, Col. Mix and the director of Straseni orphanage while filming us working with the children so I hope that this generates some public intrest in our cause. We practiced more Guerilla Dentistry today, but more supplies came so it made the task easier. After another long, but great day in the field we headed back to our apartment. On our way, we stopped by the grocery store and Patrick, Dr. Mango and I managed to successfully exchange money and buy dinner without a translator! Security continued to follow us up and down the aisles and we garnered more than a few staring eyes, but we made it.
Tomorrow: Ministry of Health (which in my head I keep referring to it as the "Ministry of Magic"...) and then on to Straseni and Dr. Uncuta's office to continue on our mission.
Brittany, Patrick and Elise in front of the US Ambassador's residence before dinner
Elise, Caroline, Brittany, Diana and Vanessa
The girls at club Deja Vu celebrating Dr. Mike Mango's 40th birthday!
Patrick working at Straseni in the newly donated dental chair
Dr. Mike Mango donating a laptop to the orphanage to start keeping electronic patient records
Vanessa and Elise working at Straseni
Playing with the orphans at Straseni
Dinner of fresh bread, apples, cheese, salami, turkey and pickles at the apartment
Patrick, Dr. Garland, Vanessa his dental assitant, Oxsana (a Moldova dentist) and I were at Straseni ("Strah-SHEEN") orphanage in the countryside screening and working with children. The room I was in had only one overhead light working and an old dental chair whose suction didn't work. We made do with what we had and practiced what we call "guerilla dentistry" - having the children spit in a bowl instead of sucking out saliva, using the instruments we had efficiently and fashioning the items we needed. I was able to do a couple of fillings and a lot of sealants for the kids who are so sweet! Even when they're scared you can tell that they are grateful to receive treatment.
After helping at the orphanage all afternoon, we loaded up in the van to run home and get ready for dinner with the US Ambassador at his residence. We only had about 30 minutes to grab a quick shower, but Brittany and I found out that our hot water wasn't working! Again, when in Moldova you have to make do, so we cleaned up as well as we could and made it out the door. Unfortunately when we arrived we found out Ambassador Chaudri had the flu so he was unable to make it, but we enjoyed his delicious dinner anyway.
After the dinner, most of the team went out on the town to celebrate Dr. Mango's 40th birthday! What a great end to a good day in the field.
Wednesday
Today the entire team was at Straseni (after a quick trip through the "McDrive" at McDonald's for some coffee). The Moldovan media came and interviewed Dr. Horowitz, Col. Mix and the director of Straseni orphanage while filming us working with the children so I hope that this generates some public intrest in our cause. We practiced more Guerilla Dentistry today, but more supplies came so it made the task easier. After another long, but great day in the field we headed back to our apartment. On our way, we stopped by the grocery store and Patrick, Dr. Mango and I managed to successfully exchange money and buy dinner without a translator! Security continued to follow us up and down the aisles and we garnered more than a few staring eyes, but we made it.
Tomorrow: Ministry of Health (which in my head I keep referring to it as the "Ministry of Magic"...) and then on to Straseni and Dr. Uncuta's office to continue on our mission.
Elise working at Straseni
Brittany, Patrick and Elise in front of the US Ambassador's residence before dinner
Elise, Caroline, Brittany, Diana and VanessaThe girls at club Deja Vu celebrating Dr. Mike Mango's 40th birthday!
Patrick working at Straseni in the newly donated dental chair
Dr. Mike Mango donating a laptop to the orphanage to start keeping electronic patient records
Vanessa and Elise working at Straseni
Playing with the orphans at Straseni
Dinner of fresh bread, apples, cheese, salami, turkey and pickles at the apartmentDr. Mango - Tuesday, March 2, 2010
We awoke earlier and meet then divided up. I went to Dr. Uncata personal dental office where there are only about 3 private office in all of Chasiniau because there are no banks to loan money. Her mom is a dentist and they sold their 2 bedroom apartment to move into a one bed room apartment to get the money. Dr. Uncata husband is a head of Neurosurgery in Moldova and only was only making $35 per week. They sold their apartment and moved in with her brother to be able to afford her office. Her office had 1055 sq feet and 3 operatories, but was nicer than some American offices. We saw 6 kids from special needs orphange and 6 from the normal orphange. I mostly taught the one dental student with us, Brittany. I got to teach her how to extract her first 2 teeth after she told Dr. Horwitz and I that she was not cleared from the school and we told her that we were sworn professors and that we were in charge. She was very nervous, but did great. The children were well behaved and responded to care witht the help of translators and Dr. Uncata assistants. I treated a cerely palsy patient who was terrified and the other dr. thought that she might have had teeth done without extractions in past. I did 2 feelings and wanted to extract some of her decayed out first molars at the gum line, but feel that she will need an oral surgeon here or build trust for the next group. I think they will just decay out in her mouth over time. I bought lunch for the group 450 leu or about $40 that had 5 pizzas and 10 salads.
Pictures From Day 3
Dr. Horowitz screening orphans from Ialoveni.
Our translators, Radu and Natalia, Caroline, and Dr. Uncuta.
Vasile(This was BEFORE the extractions)
The team at DiaDent (Dr. Uncuta's office)
Feeling like a champ because.."I CAN EXTRACT HUMAN TEETH!!!"
At DejaVu
Told ya we set the place on fire!!!
At DejaVu
Told ya we set the place on fire!!!"I Can Extract Human Teeth!"
Day 4: Tuesday March 2nd, 2010
Location: DiaDent
Today the teams split up and got to work! Dr. Horowitz, Caroline, Dr. Mango, Stella and myself went to DiaDent (Dr. Uncuta's office in Chisinau) and saw kids from the Ialoveni orphanage. Today was a day of first! The kids arrived at about 9am and we got to work! In the first operatory, Dr. Horowitz and Caroline screened children. I did a few occlusal fillings and sealants then came the big stuff. Vasile, a 9 year old, needed two extractions! Dr. Horowitz and Dr. Mango told me "Do 'em". I was a little nervous but Dr. Mango coached me through it and Vasile did amazing. I felt like a champion afterwards! Dr. Mango told me when he extracted his first tooth he told everyone who would listen "I CAN EXTRACT HUMAN TEETH!!!". I smiled like a fool the rest of the day. The kids were pretty excited too--going to the dentist meant a trip to McDonald's! There are only 4 in all of Moldova and its' considered a nice restaurant--people even dress up in their best clothes and fur coats. All the kids left with bouncy balls and plastic rings and tons of goodies from Mickey D's.
Location: Strasheni Orphanage
On the end of Moldova, Elise, Patrick, Oxsana, Dr. Garland, and Vanessa got to practice 'guerilla dentistry' at the orphanage in Strasheni. There's a new operatory that the Moldova Project from NC just installed, but there's another older one that has no suction and a handpiece that just won't stop! The supplies were short and there was a done of work to do. It really makes you appreciate all the luxuries -- working equipment and plenty of supplies--we have at the UNC clinics.
Location: US Embassy in Moldova
We finished the day a little early so we could freshen up before dinner at the ambassador. We were really disappointed that he had the flu and couldn't join us but we really enjoyed the great food and a little conversation.
Location: Hotel Nobil
In Moldova, dinner is followed by wine! Hotel Nobil has this fabulous cigar bar where we chatted and drank wine. It was just winding down after a busy day, but you know the kids had to kick it up a notch. We didn't come all the way to Moldova to sit in our apartments...
Location: DejaVu
The party continues at DejaVu, a local club in Chisinau. The 'kiddie' table went out to celebrate Dr. Mango's 40th birthday! And we lived it up!!!! Our manual actually says "NEVER TRY TO OUT DRINK A MOLDOVAN". And we tried to give them a run for their money. After the wine and few amaretto sours, the cognac and the tequila came out! Everyone got loose on the dancefloor--Dr. Garland and Col. Mix even busted some moves and the Moldovans got to see some crazy Americans! We set the place on fire...literally! The bartenders put on a show for us juggling bottles lit of fire and set the bartop on fire! It was amazing!!! The only way to cap off the night is with a little bit of 'drunk pizza'. We crashed for the night (which was really the morning) and just hoped we could wake up to work tomorrow. Tonight was a good night :-D
Monday, March 1, 2010
Martisor Pictures
Pictures from March 1st: Martisor
(you can click on pictures to make them larger)
Clinic at the Dental School
Dr. Horowitz playing with the ancient belt driven handpiece
Touring the National Museum of History and Archeology of Moldova
Condrita Manastire
Wearing our head scarves in the Orthodox church at Condrita
Overlooking the countryside
Capriana Manastire
Traditional Moldovan Restuarant: Popasul Dacilor
Traditional Moldovan Restuarant: Popasul Dacilor
Martisor! Manasterie! and the Church on the Cave!
Day 3: March 1, 2010
Today is a special day for Moldovans--March 1st is the beginning on the first day of spring! Martisor! It's a huge celebration for them--they spend the entire year hand-making elaborate red and white pins that people buy on this day to celebrate the beginning of spring. It lasts the entire month of March and people were so excited when we knew about their celebration! We were greeted with "Martisor" - the pins in the dental school this morning.
Location: Clinica Universitara Stomatologica
On our way to the dental school we had our first exciting encounter with the Moldovan police when we were waved over for a stop. Our driver handed over all the documentation and our translator told them that we were on official US embassy business, so we were allowed to continue on without a hassel. We considered this getting off easy since we weren't searched or even asked for our passports.
Once we arrived at the school, the entire team met Dr. Lupon, the Dean of their dental school, and the Dr. Soloman, the Deputy Dean. They welcomed us to their school and their country and gave us a tour of their facilities - which are simultaneously like and completely different from ours. Moldovan dental school is very different--students enter directly from high school into a 5 year program (where they get very little clinical experience) and then 3 years as a dental residents (an apprenticeship basically). During the tour Dr. Uncutsa's mother (a teacher at the school for over 40 years - so basically a teacher for every dentist in Moldova), showed us what the students were working on. They work on prepping plastic teeth and learn dental anatomy just like us! We saw a belt driven handpiece and Dr. Horowitz almost broke it! Seeing a belt driven handpiece was like being in a dental history museum. That's what he learned on---I've only heard about them, but Thank God for technology. We even met their Prosthodontics teacher and he's no Dr. Felton.
Location: National Museum of Archealogy and History of Moldova
Oxsana, Radu (Diana's husband and our translator), and Stella took us to an amazing museuem and shared the history of Moldova. Caveman's tools, jewelry, and paintings explaining the rich history of Moldova. But the most amazing part was the diorama--a mural and 3D image capturing a battle during World War II. It was absolutely breathtaking! We threw coins into the diorama like Americans do into fountains for good luck. There is a statue at the entrance depicting a two babies suckling from the teats of a wolf. It explains the story of the founders of Rome--Romulus and Remus!
Location: The Manasterie
Stella, Elise and I drove into the country side to view the monasteries. The first, Condrita Monastery is 400 years old. We lit candles and said a prayer at the altar. The ceiling was stunning and even though the building was completely run down, we were very impressed. Stella told us to just wait - we hadn't seen beautiful yet. We drove a little further out to the village of Capriana. Even from the hillside, you could see the monastery was beautiful! Situated amongst the hills, Capriana Manastire is oldest monastery in Moldova and the pride of the village! Freshly renovated between 2003-2005, it was hard to even describe. There simply aren't enough words. All I can say is...you will gasp at the pictures!
Location: Papasul Dacilor
Stella drove us back into time for a taste of Moldovan cuisine. Elise has been dying to try mamaliga--a traditional dish! Papasul Dacilor is one of Stella's favorite restaurants. So we had a glass of wine and tried the mamliga! And we loved it! Mamaliga is basically like grits that are not soupy and you serve it with a side dish of sour cream, cheese ("brezna") and chopped peppers, but these words don't do it justice. Papsul was also our first taste of Moldova red wine which was heavy, warm and delicious.
Location: Ozheiul Vechi
Alina decided to take us to Ozheiul Vechi (a village called Butuceni with a church on top of the hill and the 'church in the cave'). They kept telling us we would see the most amazing views! And they were right. The monastery is built into the hilltop and extends underneath so it looks like a church carved into the side of the cliff! As we were leaving, three peasant kids from the village asked us if we know the history of the monastery. He told us that at the top of the hill is a wishing cross where you place your hand in the middle of circle of the cross and make a wish. He explained the town was named after a Moldovan man and woman who lived on the bridge over the river Raut that encircles the hill. A Turkish man who was also in love with the woman had a major battle for the woman's heart. The Moldovan man named Butecen defeated the Turkish man and the village was named in his honor, Butuceni!
Location: Roata Vremii!
Patrick finally joined us!!! Our team is complete :D
He was held over in Dulles on an oversold flight and we're so exicted he is here. He has a lot of catching up to do with us after today!
Tonight we visited another traditional Moldovan restaurant. The menu was preselected--pickles, pickled watermelon, bread with cheese, onions and potatoes, blood sausage, beef, chicken and many other items we could not name or recognize. The restaurant has a museum that depicts traditional Modolvan life - we saw handmade rugs, animal skins, a loom, a completly stocked cellar, a grandmother's room where she bakes bread and sleeps on top of the oven for warmth and an infinite supply of wine. We continued eating until we were way past full and piled home in the car with Alina and her father which a quick stop to the grocery store.
We're excited to start dental work tomorrow!
Noapte buna!
Today is a special day for Moldovans--March 1st is the beginning on the first day of spring! Martisor! It's a huge celebration for them--they spend the entire year hand-making elaborate red and white pins that people buy on this day to celebrate the beginning of spring. It lasts the entire month of March and people were so excited when we knew about their celebration! We were greeted with "Martisor" - the pins in the dental school this morning.
Location: Clinica Universitara Stomatologica
On our way to the dental school we had our first exciting encounter with the Moldovan police when we were waved over for a stop. Our driver handed over all the documentation and our translator told them that we were on official US embassy business, so we were allowed to continue on without a hassel. We considered this getting off easy since we weren't searched or even asked for our passports.
Once we arrived at the school, the entire team met Dr. Lupon, the Dean of their dental school, and the Dr. Soloman, the Deputy Dean. They welcomed us to their school and their country and gave us a tour of their facilities - which are simultaneously like and completely different from ours. Moldovan dental school is very different--students enter directly from high school into a 5 year program (where they get very little clinical experience) and then 3 years as a dental residents (an apprenticeship basically). During the tour Dr. Uncutsa's mother (a teacher at the school for over 40 years - so basically a teacher for every dentist in Moldova), showed us what the students were working on. They work on prepping plastic teeth and learn dental anatomy just like us! We saw a belt driven handpiece and Dr. Horowitz almost broke it! Seeing a belt driven handpiece was like being in a dental history museum. That's what he learned on---I've only heard about them, but Thank God for technology. We even met their Prosthodontics teacher and he's no Dr. Felton.
Location: National Museum of Archealogy and History of Moldova
Oxsana, Radu (Diana's husband and our translator), and Stella took us to an amazing museuem and shared the history of Moldova. Caveman's tools, jewelry, and paintings explaining the rich history of Moldova. But the most amazing part was the diorama--a mural and 3D image capturing a battle during World War II. It was absolutely breathtaking! We threw coins into the diorama like Americans do into fountains for good luck. There is a statue at the entrance depicting a two babies suckling from the teats of a wolf. It explains the story of the founders of Rome--Romulus and Remus!
Location: The Manasterie
Stella, Elise and I drove into the country side to view the monasteries. The first, Condrita Monastery is 400 years old. We lit candles and said a prayer at the altar. The ceiling was stunning and even though the building was completely run down, we were very impressed. Stella told us to just wait - we hadn't seen beautiful yet. We drove a little further out to the village of Capriana. Even from the hillside, you could see the monastery was beautiful! Situated amongst the hills, Capriana Manastire is oldest monastery in Moldova and the pride of the village! Freshly renovated between 2003-2005, it was hard to even describe. There simply aren't enough words. All I can say is...you will gasp at the pictures!
Location: Papasul Dacilor
Stella drove us back into time for a taste of Moldovan cuisine. Elise has been dying to try mamaliga--a traditional dish! Papasul Dacilor is one of Stella's favorite restaurants. So we had a glass of wine and tried the mamliga! And we loved it! Mamaliga is basically like grits that are not soupy and you serve it with a side dish of sour cream, cheese ("brezna") and chopped peppers, but these words don't do it justice. Papsul was also our first taste of Moldova red wine which was heavy, warm and delicious.
Location: Ozheiul Vechi
Alina decided to take us to Ozheiul Vechi (a village called Butuceni with a church on top of the hill and the 'church in the cave'). They kept telling us we would see the most amazing views! And they were right. The monastery is built into the hilltop and extends underneath so it looks like a church carved into the side of the cliff! As we were leaving, three peasant kids from the village asked us if we know the history of the monastery. He told us that at the top of the hill is a wishing cross where you place your hand in the middle of circle of the cross and make a wish. He explained the town was named after a Moldovan man and woman who lived on the bridge over the river Raut that encircles the hill. A Turkish man who was also in love with the woman had a major battle for the woman's heart. The Moldovan man named Butecen defeated the Turkish man and the village was named in his honor, Butuceni!
Location: Roata Vremii!
Patrick finally joined us!!! Our team is complete :D
He was held over in Dulles on an oversold flight and we're so exicted he is here. He has a lot of catching up to do with us after today!
Tonight we visited another traditional Moldovan restaurant. The menu was preselected--pickles, pickled watermelon, bread with cheese, onions and potatoes, blood sausage, beef, chicken and many other items we could not name or recognize. The restaurant has a museum that depicts traditional Modolvan life - we saw handmade rugs, animal skins, a loom, a completly stocked cellar, a grandmother's room where she bakes bread and sleeps on top of the oven for warmth and an infinite supply of wine. We continued eating until we were way past full and piled home in the car with Alina and her father which a quick stop to the grocery store.
We're excited to start dental work tomorrow!
Noapte buna!
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