There is a diverse team of people committed to bringing more perfect smiles to the people of San Lucas through the art and science of dentistry. At the core of this team are three young dental technicians: Blanca Azucena Sajbín Hernandez, Pedro de León Saníc, and José Angel Chuc Campa, ages 21, 19, and 17. Overseeing their work is the director of the Parroquia’s clinic, Pablo Benedicto Santiso.

     This dental work is certainly both art and science.

     As artists, José, Pedro, and Blanca craft not only healthy teeth and gums but more wholesome and enjoyable lives as well. These three technicians have radiant hearts; they regard their patients with dignity, compassion, joy, and respect. Each comes to his or her work with a desire to serve the community, to respond to real needs, and to live the Christian value of active love for one’s neighbor.

     As well as being artists, they are true to the science of dentistry. Their training has been thorough and is ongoing. The bulk of their work, cleaning and sealing teeth, is of the highest quality and is making a profound difference in the life and health of the community they desire
to serve.

     They are exemplary hearts working through competent hands. It would also be true to say that they are competent hearts working through exemplary hands.

     The story of their work and service began in early 1995 when Doctor Mike Winters of Saint Paul, Minnesota attended a Minneapolis conference of the Christian Dental Society (CDS). CDS helps dentists connect with missions around the world, especially in Central America. At the convention, Doctor Mike met with Doctor Allan Krebs of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota, who showed him pictures from Guatemala. The pictures that grabbed Doctor Mike’s attention and heart were those of the Parroquia clinic in San Lucas Tolimán. There were pictures of little kids in a big dental chair, pictures of kids with no shoes, and pictures of kids with big shoes. All of these made a lasting impact on Doctor Mike, and thus on dental care in San Lucas.

     Six months later, Doctor Mike came to San Lucas with three assistants and fell in love with the community, especially with the children. His group assessed the local dental needs and the available resources and concluded that cleaning and sealing teeth would be the best strategy. With Father Greg’s support, they asked clinic director Pablo to find two individuals to be trained as dental technicians.

     Pablo found Blanca through a friend of his, her father-in-law, Abraham Hernandez. Blanca has a strong desire to serve children; she says it is like an obligation for her. She shows no trace of obligation, however, when speaking to a patient or when holding and gently stroking a child’s face while a tooth is being extracted.

     Pedro was at the church with his youth prayer group, Juvenil de la Renovación Católica (Youth of the Catholic Renewal), when Pablo approached him. Pedro also has a heart for serving children, especially those with families who cannot pay for dental care.

     One year later, José asked at the clinic if he could be of service to Pablo, and his timing was perfect. Pedro needed a partner as Blanca spent some time away from her work. José’s reason for his service is very simple and beautiful; in his own words, "The people need it."

     Training for their work was conducted by Doctor Mike Winters with the assistance of Amy Smith-Muller of Minneapolis and Jamie Hamilton of New York. Funding and equipment donations came through the parish of Saint Richard in Richfield, Minnesota, Patterson Dental Supply of Eagan, Minnesota, and 3M’s International Dental Division. Doctor Mike and other dentists who come to San Lucas continue to add to the training and have taught Blanca, Pedro, and José how to expertly assist in dental procedures.

     Extractions and fillings are left for dentists when they come. It is important to note that, while there are no dentists in San Lucas, there are other local clinics with dental technicians like these three. The others sometimes do extractions and fillings, but these three at the Parroquia’s clinic know that it is not their place to perform these and professionally respect the proper boundaries of their work.

     Doctor Mike continually affirms two highly important themes when speaking about the clinic’s dental service. First, Pablo and the three technicians are the true dental workers, not himself or any other visiting dentist. These four are from the community, they know their community, and they serve their community with full hearts. Second, this local team is working a miracle in San Lucas.

     This miracle has several layers:

     Two, healthier teeth are allowing for improved eating habits and thus overall improved health.

     José speaks of wanting to follow Doctor Mike’s example in becoming a dentist and serving with whole-hearted dedication. The deeper reality is that he and his fellow servants are providing a similar and equally powerful example for their neighbors, friends, and patients.

     These three have cleaned and sealed over 1000 children’s teeth; the more they see, the more widespread are their avenues of education. They visited schools, giving children lessons on caring for their teeth and gums.

     The patients have been many, but these patients have paid nothing. The cost of treatment is covered by private donations to the Parroquia.

     The team providing this dental care is indeed large and varied. Doctor Mike hopes that it continues to grow as more visiting dentists become involved. He also hopes for more donations of equipment and funding. Dentists and other Parroquia visitors replace outdated instruments. CDS still provides its support. A dentist in the United States donates the salaries of the technicians through the Parroquia. Some volunteers who come and participate in the work do no dental work; their service is in enhancing the healing atmosphere by spending time with waiting children and by translating for dentists who do not speak Spanish.

     As wide as the team is, and as important as each member may be, Blanca, Pedro, and José are truly the heart and prime instrument of this miracle taking place through the Parroquia’s clinic: the miracle of more perfect smiles being crafted through better teeth, healthier bodies, and fuller lives.