Category: Blog

Dating back as far as 11,000 years ago, Peru is home of some of the oldest civilizations in the world. Its people and culture are as diverse as its lands. Rising from the coastal waters of the Pacific Ocean to the peaks of the Andes Mountains, the country houses the source of the vast Amazon River. Much like the Andes’ divide the country in two, there is a clear divide in the “haves” and “have nots.”

With a Human Development Index ranking of 87, Peru is considered a developing nation. Approximately one quarter of the population lives at or below poverty level. Of that, roughly 90% of its society is covered by government-sponsored healthcare. However, due to many factors (i.e., geographical, socioeconomic, etc.) access to care is still limited, especially for those at highest risk.

Peru has roughly 30 million people, with nearly 60% of them living within metropolitan areas. The remaining population live in rural areas, including uncontacted indigenous tribes. Some of these communities have adapted, not with modern-day society, but with the land and its uses. One in particular is the community of Claverito, a community on the banks of the city Iquitos. It is a collective of houses that float in the Amazonian waters during the rainy season and rest in marsh during the dry season. While the tidewater may serve as the foundations for the homes, it is not without its dangers. Risk of contracture of infectious diseases is very high in Peru: hepatitis A, typhoid fever, malaria just to name a few. With all of the limitation to basic health care, the oral health is feared to be worse.

I recently had the opportunity to travel to Claverito with the UW Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health and visiting the Amazon River community. The purpose of this trip was to begin the baseline data collection for the InterACTION labs Oral Health, Population Health Initiative 2017. I worked alongside other dentists and dental students to conduct baseline information, including oral microbiome samples, conducted a quality of life survey (CPITN OHIP 14 – Spanish version), and dental caries assessment. For this, we conducted all parts of collection in the houses in the community. Families that participated, the surveys given to the head of the household, and all those consented were examined. Findings were recorded using the World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. The data collected will be analyzed at the University of Washington by various teams and departments. The hopes are to plan future interventions based on the results of the data to have a great impact this community.

Personally, this was the opportunity of a lifetime. To use the skills I have learned throughout my dental education to help better those around this world has always been a dream of mine. Thanks to UW DeRouen Center, and the rest of the team, that was possible. This trip has open my eyes to a great world of dental research and the possibilities to make differences in the communities around me.

Kyle Kirk is a senior resident at the UW Department of Pediatric Dentistry

I have recently returned from six months studying abroad in Perth, Western Australia. While I was there, I had the opportunity of getting to know my family in Australia, as well as roommates from Denmark and Sweden. Living among and getting to know different people and cultures opened my eyes to new perspectives the world has to offer and solidified my interest in global health.

One night in Perth, gathered around the dinner table, my Swedish roommate, Hedda, spoke on paid parental leave while my Danish roommate, Line, nodded her head in agreement. “Paid parental leave? What’s that?” I asked. They went on to explain that parents receive fourteen months of paid parental leave upon the birth of their child that can be split among themselves as they please. I was shocked, amazed really. How could America not have something similar? The United States is a high-income country after all. Hedda asked what the United States’ paid parental leave is, “what, four months?” she chuckled at the, in her perspective, small number. I responded explaining that there is no regulated amount of time a parent is allowed paid parental leave. “I think my mom had two or three weeks,” I estimated. Then, we were all shocked.

This conversation has remained with me and has only made me more passionate about global health. I believe the United States should sustainably help low-income countries, as well as learn from peer countries such as Sweden, Denmark, and Australia etc. This idea was brought to my attention in a workshop lead by Stephen Bezruchka, a professor here at the University of Washington. Professor Bezruchka teaches that the United States has focused on comparing its health to past statistics over the years, instead of comparing the country to peer countries in order to identify areas needing improvement. The United States has plenty to learn from other countries, and through global health work and understanding, the United States will also benefit. This is something not many people understand, I certainly did not until my education in the Public Health major.

Having the opportunity to intern at the Timothy A. DeRouen Center this year has taught me valuable skills and exposed me to projects all around the world, from Peru to Thailand. As the Center’s strategic planning intern, I have knowledge around all of our projects and set up timelines to see them through. Interacting with faculty abroad to complete a grant application has shown me the collaboration global health work takes in the real world. I love global health because of the differing perspectives and situations of each country and I love that the DeRouen Center focuses on sustainability throughout the projects we work on. I am thankful to be a part of an inclusive and dedicated group such as the UW DeRouen Center.

Marina Martinez is an undergraduate student at the University of Washington studying Public Health.

As I reflect upon my college experience thus far, I realize the last three years since I started attending the University of Washington have been the most challenging, transforming, and defining years of my life. Attending the University of Washington in Seattle was a giant leap out of my comfort zone, but this university has changed the course of my future and inspired me in ways I could have never imagined.

My first defining moment at the University of Washington occurred during my freshman Spring quarter. Before attending the UW, I was inspired to explore my personal spirituality and faith. By Spring quarter, I discovered the Inn, a college ministry a few blocks from campus and immediately felt as though I had a community here at UW, something I had previously lacked. Inspired by the ministry, I decided to attend a spring break mission trip to Lima, Peru. As my first international travel experience, I was thrown into a foreign world of unfamiliar language and culture. The mission trip occurred in one of the poorest districts in Lima and was centered around evangelically sharing our faith. Our days were spent at a local elementary school, equipping the faculty, staff, and students with ways to build their new church and share their beliefs. This mission trip was a defining moment in my personal faith, for I became a leader of others on their spiritual journeys and learned how to communicate heavy topics such as my faith in a simple, enjoyable way.

Two years later I found myself back in Peru studying environmental science and resource management through an advanced biology course. I took advantage of the unique opportunity to earn academic credit while living deep in the Amazon Rainforest and learn how to survive solely on biodegradable products while conducting research on terrestrial mammalian populations. I walked through colonial spider nests, saw insects larger than my hands, and experienced anxiety from heat stroke and elevation changes for the first time. It was the most physically, emotionally, and mentally exhausting trip I have ever experienced, but I would not change a single aspect of it. This experience showed me what true adventure was: immersing myself in a culture and environment so different than my own, forcing me to adapt and survive, creating a resilience within me. In a very short period of time, I gained a refreshing sense of independence, resulting in a period of immense personal reflection and growth.

Both of my experiences in Peru were for very different purposes, but both taught me just how rewarding it is to explore the world, appreciate cultures different than my own, and the beauty of diversity. Returning to the United States after witnessing the disparities in Peru shifted my perspective of the world and inspired me to explore the field of Global Health through academic coursework. I immediately enrolled in Global Health 101 and a new spark was ignited in me.

I was so happy to find a topic I was passionate about and immediately switched my major from microbiology to public health, which is one of the best decisions I have made. The moment I was accepted into the Bachelor of Science option in the School of Public Health, I started taking advantage of every opportunity presented to me. In particular, joining the Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health as an intern this year has allowed me to explore my interests in global health while having a sense of purpose as a member of the core team that keeps the center running. I am excited to see how this organization grows in the next couple of years and witness the many lives that will be changed because of the projects we have in countries all across the world.

As my senior year of college comes to a close, I am ready for whatever future curveballs life throws at me. The last few years have taught me the importance of stepping out of my comfort zone and how to bounce back from failure, and I owe a tribute to the University of Washington’s School of Public Health and the DeRouen Center for instilling that confidence and security within me. The atmosphere of college can be intimidating, especially at a school as large as UW, but going out of your comfort zone and trying as many new things as possible can ignite a sense of purpose in your life, which is exactly what happened to me when I discovered the field of public health.

In the midst of practicing dentistry in the pre-clinic, studying for my courses, engaging in extracurricular activities, and preparing for the NBDE Part I, I often feel that the tempo of my life is much too fast. Every time I visit home, my parents seem older and my house looks different. Time relentlessly continues to pass. I sometimes forget to pause to think about my life from a greater perspective. Instead of thinking about each task of each day, I want to think about my role in the world and my vision for the future.

Recently, I was nominated by the UW School of Dentistry for the Martin Luther King Jr. Community Service Award, alongside my colleague, Marcus Hwang. Dashing out of our fixed prosthodontics lab course, we arrived at the ceremony perhaps a minute late. The room was full and I immediately realized that the service was much more than an award presentation. A middle school jazz band led performances of the anthem, “Lift Every Voice and Sing” and classics such as “Willow Weep for Me” and “Land of Make Believe”. A local poet offered an interactive spoken word experience and several guest speakers shared heartfelt tributes to the life of Martin Luther King Jr. The ceremony was a community gathering in which we stood in solidarity with one another.

Sitting in the back of the room, I watched as every single member of the audience participated with sincerity and passion. I was reminded of life outside of the university and for a moment, time stood still. The Master of Ceremonies concluded the program with a reading of a quote by Dr. King in which he said, “Make a career of humanity. Commit yourself to the noble struggle for equal rights. You will make a greater person of yourself, a greater nation of your country, and a finer world to live in.”

This statement is a call to action. It offers a perspective to which we can all aspire to. For me personally, it represents my motivations in dentistry and global oral health. Throughout my career, I intend to serve individuals in need, whether locally or abroad. Although the sheer academic rigor and the professional demands of dentistry can become overwhelming, I am fueled by desire to improve the state of the world through my actions. I am thankful to be involved at the DeRouen center because it has given me the opportunity to think and act as a global citizen.

Time slows down when you work with intention and purpose. I hope to continue to learn, to appreciate those around me, and to improve the quality of life for others through my own.

Jessica is the co-founder and Director of Relief Efforts for Husky Health Bridge. She is the President of the UW Periodontics Dental Student Interest Group and actively involved in the AADR National Student Research Group, American Academy of Periodontology, and American Student Dental Association. She is also a member of the Hispanic Student Dental Association and American Academy of Developmental Medicine and Dentistry. Besides outreach and research, she enjoys playing both the piano and violin, exploring the outdoors, and entertaining her two cats, Tofu and Dubu (두부).

I am a current 2nd year dental student pursuing a career in oral and maxillofacial surgery. What that means is that after my four years of training in dentistry, an additional 6 years in an oral and maxillofacial surgery program will grant me the skills, privilege, and the medical degree to perform surgeries in the head and neck region (of course, additional fellowships may be necessary) – Whew! But I don’t wish to end my training there.

In the devastating 2010 earthquake in Haiti, 300,000 thousand people lost their lives and much more were injured to the relentless destruction caused by the forces of Nature. Numerous physicians, nurses, and surgeons from around the world swarmed in to aid in this crisis, with oral and maxillofacial surgeons being one of the earliest responders. Since oral and maxillofacial surgeons are specialized to treat diseases, injuries, and congenital defects of hard and soft tissues of the head and neck region, they were essential in treating the bone fractures, facial lacerations, traumatic burns, and reconstructive procedures during the earthquake’s aftermath. It’s been almost a decade since the last major earthquake in Haiti, and not much has changed with Haiti’s dependence on foreign trained surgeons to provide advanced and often complicated surgical procedures—patients are even often flown to the United States for surgeries requiring more complex equipment. Humanitarian relief efforts are still needed in developing countries, but this also reveals the crippling truth that within the borders of many developing countries, lives are lost to preventable and treatable conditions due to the shortage of doctors.

I’ve noticed that this is one of many frustrating challenges in global health: the lack of specialized surgeons and surgical equipment within the developing world. Ever since being introduced to global health by Dr. Stephen Gloyd, I’ve wondered about how I can take my (future) skills in surgery and put it to use in global health. Surgery (Global Health, University of Washington) , being an intense and fine art, requires thousands of hours of clinical experience and coaching to perfect. Global health on the other hand deals with systems-based problems that affects the population as a whole. The traditional method would be to take my specialized skills to treat the patients in need, one-by-one. However, since the UW DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health promotes sustainability, collaboration, innovation, advancement, and compassion, I’ve been encouraged to think more about training local doctors and supplementing existing trauma centers. I want to use my career to develop sustainable options for those in developing countries, and improve the access to healthcare. After all, how else can I answer the question: Why can I be saved in your country but not mine?

It will be an exciting journey, and I am looking forward to learning from the many innovative collaborators I will meet through the DeRouen Center.

You can reach Marcus at: hwajihoo@uw.edu.

About why I chose dentistry

The moment I committed my career path to dentistry occurred while I was teaching English in Taiwan, the country in which my parents grew up. A common practice in Taiwan is to hire a housekeeper, often this means young women move from third world countries to work for affluent families in order to send money. While I was volunteering, I befriended the daughter of a housekeeper and she became attached quickly. When there were group activities she tried to pull me aside so that we wouldn’t play with the other kids. I remember thinking about the factors that played into the situation. Maybe it was her personality, her ethnicity, or her laugh. When she smiled, she had black holes eroding half of her two front permanent teeth, and I couldn’t help but think that it was a contributing factor. A dentist has the capacity to treat the pain from her teeth, but a dentist can also help her feel more confident. I wanted to become a dentist who could help a child make some friends.

Why the DeRouen Center

A large part of why I chose dentistry was to help people. As cliché as the term may sound, the idea of helping people comes in many shapes and sizes. Someone could theoretically develop a pill that solves hunger, others might choose to volunteer at a food kitchen every month. While serving the community on different levels is a good thing, there are also consequences that could arise. For instance, a pill that solves hunger removes the social context of eating and would affect cultural practices.

One practice in global volunteering is “voluntourism,” a combination of volunteering and tourism.  In dentistry, this might look like a privately funded trip with the duration of a week that seldom occurs. I used to believe that dental missions were synonymous to helping people, but after learning more about public health, I began to see how motives don’t necessary align with an improvement of health care. There are a variety of ethical issues that arise with voluntourism, which we can discuss in a later article.

What makes the DeRouen Center different, is that it focuses are sustainability and research-oriented interventions. Historically, dentistry has been focused on restorations, but now we are realizing how paramount prevention is to improving healthcare. Furthermore, we focus on partnering with communities to improve the health of their population. Collaborating not only reveals the needs of the population from the population, but it also gives us an opportunity to learn about culture and values, which is important for us as we practice dentistry locally in America. I believe that the DeRouen Center plays a huge role in the Seattle area because of the diversity we experience here and I’m excited to see how we will impact our communities at home and abroad.

You can reach Belle at belleac@uw.edu.

Who we are

We are students passionate about working with dentistry on a global scale! We join forces with our innovative mentor, Dr. Seminario, in the development of the Timothy A. DeRouen Center for Global Oral Health here at the University of Washington. We have many students and staff who have existing projects and interests abroad, ranging from health system development in Kenya, clinical research training in Thailand, health disparity research in Peru, and access to care for refugees in Seattle. Our roles are not only to participate in these projects as research assistants, but also to get the word out about the importance of global oral health. We believe that it is important to advocate for and learn from communities around the world, and that it strengthens us as future clinicians, researchers, educators, and leaders.

Why we’re blogging

We hope for the DeRouen Center to be a fun and interactive program, and want to keep everyone up to date in an open and honest platform. Here, we will write about our trips, interests, goals, and current events related to global health.

How you can get involved

Feel free to reach out to any of us! We enjoy speaking about our many projects and sharing our enthusiasm for global health with others. We’d love to hear your thoughts, ideas, and aspirations for the future of our center. Also, look forward to our upcoming blog entry series of team member introductions to hear more about our individual interests.