A volunteer that aims high
Antonia Moa is a New Zealand-trained dentist, who graduated from the University of Otago in 1999. She also holds a fellowship with the Royal Australasian College of Dental Surgeons (FRACDS). Antonia was working in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, when she volunteered for SmileHigh and is now working in Cambodia. She has a special interest in paediatric dental care and has agreed to provide ongoing consultation to SmileHigh. She spoke to Dental Learning Hub about her experiences as a volunteer with the organisation.
What were your main motivations to become a volunteer?
Antonia Moa: A chance to visit Nepal and to be able to learn about the people, culture and history. I also wanted to be able to give back to a people who have no or very limited access to dental care, but an obvious need for treatment.
Briefly describe the details of your volunteering experience.
Antonia Moa: I went with Smile High to the Kumbhu region of Nepal. Our group consisted of dental and non- dental volunteers from Australia and New Zealand (but some living overseas). The trip lasted 16 days and I found it particularly physically taxing. We flew in to Lukla and had to trek for days to reach our destination to treat the children. We had a very basic set-up in very cold conditions but managed to provide basic preventative and some restorative treatment.
What impressions did you take away from the experience?
Antonia Moa: There is something extremely rewarding in being able to help poor and impoverished people. The gentle and beautiful nature of the Sherpa people really shone through and really made a positive impact on my life. I was extremely affected by the poverty and hardship in which the people live on a daily basis.
Would you recommend this to fellow dentists?
Antonia Moa: Absolutely. It should be mandatory!!
Do you have any tips for dentists volunteering on similar projects for the first time?
Antonia Moa: Volunteers need to be aware that materials and equipment will be limited and that you can only do the best you can with what you have. They need to research public dental health initiatives for developing countries to understand priorities in relief of pain management, dental caries prevention and education. They need to keep an open mind and heed the advice of the team leaders or those with experience in field dentistry. Most importantly, don’t take the dentistry too seriously and remember to soak up the environment, the people, the local and food and culture!
Learn more about SmileHigh
Send your comments and questions to editorial@dental-learninghub.com