GSDM Students Push Boundaries of Dentistry and Adventure in Guatemala
All three said they’d go back in a heartbeat. “I’ve wanted to do something like this ever since I was in undergrad,” said Ty Eriks DMD 11. “The experience was definitely life changing.”
Eriks, along with Alex Vasserman DMD 11 and Tadeu Szpoganicz DMD 11 traveled to Poptun, Guatemala, January 6 to January 17, with Liga International to provide oral health care.
The trio, along with Erika Enriquez—an undergraduate student from Minnesota interested in pursuing postgraduate dental education—and Dr. Fred Kalinoff and his wife, treated between 250 and 300 patients, more than half of them children.
“When we arrived [at the clinic] on Monday, we immediately filled the whole week’s appointment schedule for fillings,” said Szpoganicz. “Any remaining time was dedicated to oral surgery walk-in appointments.”
Throughout the week the students performed a variety of extractions, anterior composites, and oral surgery—including one patient, whose mouth Vasserman was tasked with putting back together when he showed up at the clinic following a car accident.
“We worked non-stop,” said Vasserman. “By the time we wiped down the chair, a new patient was already anesthetized and ready to sit.”
Despite all their hard work, the group still found time to explore Guatemala. They hiked an active volcano, visited a coffee plantation and local ruins, watched the sun rise over the jungle, went zip-lining, and explored other natural wonders only accessible by riding on the back of a truck as it climbed up narrow dirt roads.
“Having time to see the country was awesome,” said Eriks. “When we arrived Tad [he’s fluent in Spanish] talked to the locals, found out what we should do, and we did it. It was all amazing!”