Independence, Oregon Hygienist Participates in Humanitarian Project in Nepal

Kelly Matthews, RDH, Provides Dental Care for Children.

Kelly Matthews and some of her favorite friends

(INDEPENDENCE, Ore.) - Independence-based hygienist Kelly Matthews recently participated in a humanitarian dental clinic held in Kathmandu, Nepal. The clinic was organized by the Himalayan Dental Relief Project which has brought direct dental care to children in Nepal since 2000.

Over the course of 7 days, the clinic served 715 patients, many of whom had never before received dental care.

Ms. Matthews was among a group of 15 volunteers that included five dentists, two hygienist and eight lay volunteers. The clinic was held in a local Kathmandu school that converted classroom space into a seven-chair dental office for the week. Assisted by local students who received on-site training in basic skills, the volunteers provided a total of 111 cleanings and fluoride treatments, and 485 restorations.

“I have always wanted to merge my love of travel and hygiene,” says Ms. Matthews. “The true reward is working in a volunteer setting where I can effectively use my hygiene skills to help others.”

Ms. Matthews began global work after meeting the organizers of Himalayan Dental Relief at the Pacific Northwest Dental Convention. “I liked their approach and the commitment to work with children on an ongoing basis.

The project returns to each school every two years, which means children receive ongoing oral hygiene care and education. This makes my contribution feel very effective,” she said, “I hope some day we can even find enough hygiene volunteers to host a hygiene only clinic!”

This is Ms. Matthews’ second trip with HDRP. On her first trip in November 2006, she joined dental volunteers at a local school outside of Danang in central Vietnam. The project treated over 1000 school children during an intensive five-day clinic.

The experience of working directly within a local community deepened her commitment to volunteer dental work – one that she hopes to return to annually.

In 2003 Kelly Matthews made an important midlife-career change, graduating from Diablo Valley College with a dental hygiene degree. Prior to this, she worked with a non-profit company facilitating the construction of low-income senior housing. Her new career brought a welcome change that put her into direct contact with the people she served and in a field she had always been interested in.

Upon graduation Ms. Matthews began work as a temporary hygienist filling in at several offices. She discovered a strong demand for substitute work and has continued in this capacity over the last few years. She currently works regularly in several Salem area dental offices and continues her temp work as well. Ms. Matthews also volunteers at the Salem Boys and Girls Club and the Chemawa Indian School, both of which have volunteer dental clinics.

Treatment and preventative care is provided by volunteer health professionals who donate their time to treat children during intensive seven-day dental camps. Camps generally include up to five dentists, five hygienists and five to ten non-medical volunteers. Each camp treats 400 – 800 children. Since 2001, HDRP has hosted more than 210 volunteers and treated 24,187 children.

For more information about the Himalayan Dental Relief Project, visit himalayandental.com.