RANGELY | Colorado Northwestern Community College (CNCC) offers a unique college experience with diverse programs that cater to the needs of underserved communities like Craig and Rangely. Agriculture, psychology, nursing and dental hygiene are the top fields in which CNCC offers degree programs, and the Western Slope’s need for skilled workers in these arenas is high. These fields are also underserved across the country and in third-world countries.
In primitive areas of Guatemala, people live without electricity and running water, utilities that are often taken for granted in the U.S. Guatemala is especially vulnerable to natural disasters and has limited resources for necessary and sustainable healthcare services. In addition to natural disasters, preventable diseases like cholera and tuberculosis are leading causes of death for its citizens. Malnutrition, lack of clean water, and lack of knowledgeable care can, and do, directly impact dental health, as well.
CNCC, in partnership with International Medical Relief, plans missions for students to apply their educational experience in humbling conditions that will have a lasting impact on the recipients. In addition to the mission service, the organization supplies and builds sustainable health security by improving the ability to respond to public health threats. The mission began in Guatemala in January 2018 and increased efforts that June after the Volcan de Fuego eruption. Clinic operations serve more than 11,000 patients, and the efforts correlate to United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
This April, four students from CNCC’s dental hygiene program will travel to Guatemala to offer services that will cement their educational experience. From April 24-29, students will travel, serve two days in the clinic, and stay another day for the cultural experience. They will be able to provide patients with dental cleanings, X-rays, tooth-saving sealants and fluoride treatments. Students will also educate children, parents and seniors about how to care for their teeth and improve their overall health.
The cost of the trip amounts to $3,000. Fundraising efforts were launched at the beginning of the 2022-2023 academic year, and deposits were made by the beginning of November. The early deadline made it difficult for more students to take advantage of the opportunity. The dental hygiene students were responsible for fundraising. They held a gift-wrapping station, concession stands, and are hosting a 5K run that will take place on April 15, 2023. Interested participants can still sign up at HTTP://WEBLINK.DONORPERFECT.COM/TOOTHTROT5K. Originally 12 students wanted to go on the trip, but financial requirements could not be met. Students who are traveling for this experience are grateful for their families’ ability to contribute to their education.
Dental Hygiene Director Tiffany Douglas took the trip in 2022 and helped make it available to students this academic year. Douglas described the opportunity as humbling and eye-opening. Her experience inspired several of her students, including Sadie Shake. Shake is one of the four students traveling to Guatemala in April. She looks forward to improving her adaptive skills in her opportunity to serve.
“When we are in the clinic, we have access to the greatest tools, but in Guatemala, we will have to improvise and adapt to provide the best care for our patients. Overall, this experience will give me a huge appreciation for the modern advances that we have in our clinic and the United States in general,” Shake said.
Student Makayla Kehmeier said, “I am most excited to interact with the citizens of where we will be working, and just seeing different cases and just getting this experience will help me grow as a clinician tremendously.”
This opportunity will expand the students’ knowledge and experience from the clinic to the real world, where they will one day be able to be the change they wish to see.
By KATIE KING | Special to The Herald Times
