Bishop John Noonan | Diocese of Orland website

SAN JUAN DE LA MAGUANA, Dominican Republic - A new clinic in the sister diocese of San Juan de la Maguana is bringing smiles to the faces of more than 100 patients. The clinic, which opened on February 6, 2024, is the result of the efforts of Dr. Rolfe McCoy, a missionary dentist with a passion for giving back.

Dr. McCoy, who has been a missionary for over a decade, was inspired to serve others after a missionary trip with his father in eighth grade. He heard about the need for dental care in the Dominican Republic while worshiping at a parish in Daytona Beach. He reached out to the Diocese of Orlando Mission Office and soon got to work.

Less than a year later, Dr. McCoy and his team found the perfect location for the clinic inside a government medical clinic in Los Montacitos. McCoy donated equipment from his practice in Missouri, and with the help of engineer Luis José Aybar de los Santos, they set up the clinic with chairs, cabinets, lights, and more. Aybar, who studied in Orlando as part of a partnership between the two dioceses, now uses his knowledge and skills to make a difference in the mountain villages.

But Dr. McCoy was not alone in his mission. Angie Reyes, a full-time dentist in Santo Domingo, took a week off to return to her hometown and serve her people. She brought along a cousin and a friend to assist with patient intake and equipment sterilization.

The new clinic is a gamechanger for the community. Before its opening, dental missions were limited by the lack of space and equipment. Dentists would travel with their own tools and provide basic care wherever possible. Now, with a fixed and sustainable clinic, the team can keep records and provide comprehensive care to more patients.

Dr. McCoy hopes to continue expanding the services offered at the clinic by acquiring an x-ray machine and other equipment. He remains grateful for the opportunity to make a difference in the lives of the community members. He said, "To find a dental clinic this high up in the rural mountains is very, very unusual, even for other countries. It's been a cherished thing in my life to participate in such a project. I constantly get goosebumps thinking about being able to make this a reality."

During the first week of the clinic's operation, the dentists primarily treated school staff and students. The gratitude and relief were evident in the smiles of the patients. One little boy, who finally found relief from a toothache, exclaimed, "The dental visit did not hurt at all! I'll do it all over again."

The impact of the clinic goes beyond just pain relief. Kensy Sanchez Delgado, whose front tooth was fixed at the clinic, expressed her joy, saying, "I can smile again! Now that my front tooth has been fixed, I look so beautiful."

The mission office plans to have at least one dentist serving per month, or at least every quarter, going forward. Teaching good oral hygiene, especially to children, will be a key focus. Maribel Corcino Adames, who works in one of the mission schools, highlighted the dental needs of the community, particularly among children. She said, "I am sure the opening of the new clinic will address the dental needs of these communities, especially with prevention. In turn, it will make for a healthier community."

Raquel Cespedes, director of Mission Services for the Diocese of Orlando, witnessed the overwhelming demand for dental care as she held patients' hands and translated for them. She emphasized the importance of providing care to those in pain, saying, "It's amazing how many people need help because they're in pain. They just really need that care."

The Diocese of Orlando Mission Office is actively seeking more dental professionals to join their missions. For more information, interested individuals can contact the mission office at 407-246-4893 or zparra@orlandodiocese.org.

Source: Glenda Meekins of the Florida Catholic staff, February 15, 2024