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The Thousand Smiles Clinic, which has been in operation for over 30 years, provides comprehensive oral facial care, including cleft palate and lip repair to disadvantaged children though out most of Mexico, with a focus on NW Mexico, i.e., the extended Community of Ensenada, Baja California, the site of the Clinic.
The Services provided include Pediatric Dentistry, Orthodontics, Audiology, Speech pathology, and Surgery. And just recently a vision and eye care Clinic has started at the facility.
These continued efforts have helped improve the overall health of this Community and the opportunity for a productive life without the misfortune of facial deformity, declining health, and poor employment opportunities
This Project Grant will provide funds for equipment for an expansion of the Clinic, the purchase of equipment to improve the standard of care for minor ear procedures, and for necessary replacement of worn equipment.
The Grant will also cover costs to improve the surface of a "Waiting" area on the exterior of the building, so as to reduce dust, and greatly improve the cleanliness and hygiene standards.
This Grant will augment the current Clinic situation and allow it to improve and expand the scope of care available. The project will take place over a period of about one year.
Patients are not charged a fee and no Child is denied service. Typically, Children in this socio-economic arena, with these medical needs, are most definitely under-served.
Several Rotary Clubs are active partners in this project. To date, partners include Rotarians from Ensenada Centenario (D4100); National City, San Diego North, La Jolla, Carlsbad, and La Jolla Golden Triangle, Brawley (D5340); Monarch Beach Sunrise, Lakewood, Fullerton, San Juan Capistrano and possibly one more (D5320).
The volunteer Doctors that are Rotary club members will travel to the Ensenada Clinic. The Rotary members will assist in different tasks to ensure the success of the hands-on project. These activities are medical surgery, dental general services for the patients, patient registration, assisting patients with language translation, audiology, speech therapy, ENT services, providing a meals service to volunteers, families and doctors, accounting and patient follow-up care.
Rotarians of many professions, including Doctors, Dentists, Nurses, Engineers, Teachers, Accountants, Office Managers, Restaurant Owners, Event Organizers, Etc., are involved in all phases of the Clinic, including Delivery of Care (Dental, Surgical, Audiology, Speech Pathology, Orthodontist, Ears/Nose/Throat maladies.). Treatment is extended to all family members. Rotarians and other volunteers arrange for reservation of surgical suites at local hospitals, maintenance and transportation of all foundation-owned equipment, pre-surgical testing of all patients and all other logistical issues. Additionally, Rotarians assist in Administrative tasks Patient Registration, Patient Education, Translation, and Food Preparation for Patients, their families, and Clinical Staff.
The Rotary club outside the country, co-sponsor, will be in constant communication with Monarch Beach Sunrise Club by email, Skype, telephone and personal contact during periodical visits.
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