International College of Dentists

Program Objectives

Several years ago the USA Section of the International College of Dentists’ Board of Regents determined that we should become more involved with programs that provided dental humanitarian support on a global basis. After considering many ideas and concepts, a project was approved that supported the training of dentists in Vietnam for a Masters’ Degree program in dental public health. This program was conceived and directed by Dave Sampe and Jim Felix in 2001 and 2002 with the support of then USA-ICD President Dick Shick. Read More >>

Kenya Report!

To: Jack Clinton, D.M.D., President, International College of Dentists, USA
From: William Hunter, D.D.S., ICD-USA Deputy Regent, North Dakota
Sent: Monday, May 09, 2011 11:41 AM
Subject: Kenya Report

Dear Jack,

I am sending you this last minute report regarding our efforts in Kenya. I apologize for not being able to be there in person. I am with all of you in spirit and have wonderful news regarding the Kenya projects. I can't begin to express our collective appreciation for the commitment and support we have received from the ICD. Our friends in Kenya are extremely appreciative and can see first hand how our efforts in creating access to dental care in Kenya is paying big dividends to Kenyans and beyond.

I am sending you the financial report we received in the past few weeks regarding financial status of the Kikuyu Clinic. These numbers are in Kenyan Shillings (80:1). We are in the BLACK! Amazing! We have a full staff supporting the five Kenyan dentists and their efforts at the clinic an at over 20 outreach projects at orphanages, schools and remote villages. Dental school student exchange programs from the US and Europe continue with increasing interest.

I was last in Kenya the end of January and early February. I am sending some photos taken on this trip. One of the days at the Kikuyu Hospital Dental Clinic we examined and screened approximately 90 some children from a poor neighboring school for dental treatment. It was thrilling to see all the activity and the appreciative parents, grand parents, aunts, uncles and of course the the children. Check out the photos.

We visited the Chogoria Hospital near Mt. Kenya and met with the hospital board and Dr. Odondi, the dentist in charge of their existing, but, meager dental clinic. The plan has changed from a remodeling project of the existing clinic to building a new clinic on a new existing building on the second floor. This will probably be less expensive and easier to accomplish with no disruption to the ongoing dental treatment at the existing clinic. It is located on the grounds of the hospital. I will send some photos of the building so you can visualize what I am trying to explain. We are limited to design because of the shape and dimension of the second floor slab. We are able to add more space and I have attached a preliminary design for your review. The Kenyan architect has the design and is working on refining it for submission for bids to contractors. Once this has been approved and the contractor has been selected the construction will begin. We have a time line established to complete the construction, purchasing, shipping and installation of equipment by the end of 2011. This is an aggressive time line and we hope everything can be accomplished by then.

Again, I wish to send my regrets that I can not be with you. I would have especially have liked to visit and thank in person our partners at A-dec in assisting in making this dream a reality. We hope to once again partner with A-dec in furnishing this clinic.

All the best to a successful meeting,

Sincerely yours,
William Hunter, D.D.S
Deputy Regent, North Dakota

The International Humanitarian Outreach Program

Program Objectives

Kenya Report!