Dr. Urban on Today’s Dentistry/Remote Access

My Impressions of Remote Area Medical

The idea of volunteering dental services in inaccessible locations is very intriguing. Last year for the first time Remote Area Medical (R.A.M) decided to drop itself right into the middle of Los Angeles. The response from the public was overwhelming. RAM provides basic medical screening, vision, and dental services. This year they returned to the Sports Arena to another huge demand.

I had the opportunity to volunteer for one morning shift on Sunday and was generally impressed by the organization and efficiency of the set up and handling of patient flow. Although my personal check-in was about 20 minutes longer than it should have been (early morning rush) I was quickly able to make my way down to the floor level of the Sports Arena. The number of volunteers that showed up that morning was magnificent. Every available dental chair had a dentist or hygienist working. My chair was in the screening area. There were about 8 dentists screening nearly 50 each for basic services such as extractions, fillings, some root canals and cleanings.

Since this was a one-stop-shop RAM is not able to provide crowns, extensive dental therapies, or dentures. Some minor denture repairs were available if time permitted. I am happy to say that a lot of your area dentists volunteered their time and weekends to support this project.

The patients were very gracious for the services RAM was able to provide. There were some grumpy types of people who did not get what they expected, but most accepted the situation. I am sure the dentists wished to do more in some cases, but, remember, we were in the middle of the Sports Arena, not in a modern dental office. Some specialty services like oral surgery and root canals were done in mobile clinics that were towed into the Sports Arena.

The attitude of the volunteers was heartwarming. Everyone I saw pitched in with more energy than they would show in their own office. It was a team, but very few of us knew or even met before this event. There was one common force that made everyone commit to a duty and give it their best. The energy came from the heart knowing that we were doing something for a greater good.

At the end of my 6 hour commitment I quietly left. There was no one to give a thanks or “atta boys”, but none was needed. It was my pleasure to take a very small part in this noble endeavor. We do live in a very nice section of the world with relative peace and stability. It is easy to forget there are others close by not so fortunate. I hope RAM returns again next year.

For answers to your dental questions, contact
Douglas Urban, D.D.S.
Cerritos, CA 90703
562 924-1523
DrDouglasUrban.com