ASDOH faculty makes emotional journey home
Posted: December 8, 2009[cincopa 10525697]
ASDOH faculty member Khanh Chu, D.D.S., returned to her home in South Vietnam in November to provide dental care to children as a part of Operation Smile Vietnam’s commemorative 20th anniversary mission. It was the first time Dr. Chu had been back to the region since she fled as a refugee on the last day of the Vietnam War in 1975, 34 years ago, at age 16.
“It was very emotional for me. I passed by my old home, the place I used to live – so much has changed,” she said. “I’ve done several overseas missions, and this is my second time coming to Vietnam. But this is the first time I’ve returned to my home in the south.”
Equally emotional for Dr. Chu was the experience of caring for the children along with her Operation Smile colleagues. “I’m a prosthodontist, so I don’t have as many opportunities to treat children,” she said. “Many of these kids had never seen a dentist.” She recalled having to be firm with one young girl during a difficult procedure and getting an emotional hug goodbye from that same girl when it was time for the team to leave. “I broke down,” said Dr. Chu.
The mission began November 4 with the Gala Dinner in Hanoi. Guests included Operation Smile Ambassador Jackie Chan, officials of the government of Vietnam, Operation Smile Vietnam sponsors and donors, and team members from around the world. After the event, teams were dispersed throughout Vietnam to six dental and 10 medical sites.
Despite it being only her second mission to Vietnam, Dr. Chu was named a dental team leader for Tay Ninh province, a rural area in South Vietnam, and was responsible for daily operations and coordination with local health personnel. Her team consisted of three dentists from Indiana, Maryland, and Colorado; two hygienists from Delaware and Vermont; and two fourth-year dental students from Maryland. A local pediatric dentist and a local oral surgeon were also part of her team.
From November 8-14, Dr. Chu’s team took care of more than 2,000 children from five elementary schools. Dr. Chu provided 90 percent of the screenings since she could communicate with the local citizens. All the students received dental education and fluoride treatment. Of those, about 800 had extractions and fillings. Preliminary results showed that approximately 3,000 children were seen by the other five sites combined.
“The experience gave me a new perspective on ASDOH’s commitment to community service,” said Dr. Chu. “It made me appreciate what we have here at ATSU.”