October 13, 2022- For two weeks, a dental team from Canvasback Missions conducted a specialty clinic at the Belau National Hospital. The team led by Dr. Harold Charles McKelvey consisted of three dentists, two hygienists, one dental assistant,
one biomedical technician, a team assistant, and a mission team director. Services provided included oral exams
& consultations, oral cancer screenings, restorative (filling), teeth cleaning, periodontics, endodontics (root canal therapy), oral surgeries, and an introduction to rapid denture. Donated toothbrushes and floss were also distributed to the patients. In total, 175 patients were seen by the team.
The Canvasback team also provided biomedical services. Repairs were made on a number of dental equipment including a dental operatory chair, a chair light, two ultra-sonic scaling machines, and a dental stool. Hoses for four operatory machines were replaced and five ultra-sonic scaling machines & two portable machines were serviced.
Canvasback Missions is a non-profit organization that works to bring specialty healthcare, health education, and wholeness to the islands of the Pacific. Since 1981, the organization has been conducting medical trips within the region. The dental specialty clinic in Palau was held from September 19, 2022 to September 30, 2022.
The Republic of Palau Ministry of Health & Human Services (MHHS) expresses its thanks to Charles McKelvey, DDS; Richard Emery, DDS; David Kanas, DDS; Adrian Fenderson, DDS; Gloria McKelvey, RDH; Jeanette Emery, RDH; Suzi De Fosset; David Wright; Janet Burki; and Jacque Spence. We greatly appreciate your time, expertise, and generous contributions. The MHHS dental team looks forward to future collaborations in support of the oral health needs of the people of Palau.