Support the Smiles of Futuro Vivo

A Dental Health Initiative:

Dear Friends and Supporters:

I wanted to share another area of interest for Sister Parish Ministry, Inc. (SPM). Ten years ago, Elizabeth Beverly, niece of Dr. Laura Beverly, our Pediatric physician, had an idea that would have a tremendous impact on the health care of the children in two communities that we serve. She realized that there was a significant need for improved oral care for these children. Based on Elizabeth’s idea, since 2015, the Medical Mission Team of SPM has partnered with Futuro Vivo School in Guerra, and with local volunteers in El Mamey, a batey outside of Guerra, to provide ongoing dental care and education for thousands of children. Our mission is simple yet vital: to improve oral health and instill lifelong habits that protect children from preventable pain and disease.

Three times a year, during our scheduled Medical Missions, our volunteers visit Futuro Vivo School to administer fluoride treatments and provide each student (765 students) with a new toothbrush, toothpaste, a toothbrush cover, and personalized oral hygiene instruction. These visits have helped reduce the prevalence of cavities and have empowered children, families, and teachers with essential dental knowledge. In El Mamey, we provide fluoride treatments, toothbrushes, toothpaste and toothbrush covers for over 100 children each mission.

This past year marked an important expansion of our work. With the generous help of Dr. Bill Maroney and Dr. Anna Rivera, dental screenings were performed for over 100 children at Futuro Vivo School. These exams revealed urgent oral health needs, including cavities, infections, and other serious dental issues.

Thanks to our collaboration with the UNIBE Dental School, located in Santo Domingo, we have been able to respond in a meaningful way. Dental students and faculty volunteered their time and expertise to provide extractions, fillings, root canals, and other essential treatments at a very reasonable cost—a truly life-changing intervention for many of these children.