(Photo: Neil Langley, Macu, Sr Filomena, Bony, Denise Salvestro, David Sheen, Ben Sheen)

Team 1 has returned from a vastly entertaining, happy and successful trip to TL. They lost a team member before they had left the country – seemingly a very common occurrence for this program – Dr Mary Tuituinnik had to again bow out due to illness (we hope you feel better soon!); nevertheless, by all accounts, the team revelled in each other’s company and work proceeded it its normal chaotic fashion. In the first week, the team consisted of Dr David Sheen, Patrick Fitzgerald on his second trip, and Dr Neil Langley – he and his wife, Dr Denise Salvestr0, are both dentists in remote Northern Territory and long-time advocates for indigenous health. They were joined by Bonifacio Cardoso Martins (aka Bony), who was recommended to us by our friend, Mimi Chungue, as a translator. Bony is a student at the University of Timor Leste and is studying Linguistics. Bony kept the team’s spirits high with his cheerful, helpful nature. He was so enthusiastic that he ended up staying with the team for almost the entire trip! (Pic: Patrick and Co. at the Poussada)

In the second week, the Team farewelled Patrick, and welcomed David’s son, Ben Sheen, and Dr Denise Salvestro to the workforce. They were also joined by another student recommended by Mimi, Immaculada (aka Macu) for a few days. According to Sr Filomena, they were a boisterous bunch, who worked hard during the day and stayed up all night carousing!(Pic: Bony registering kids at Tapamanolu)

Usually our two week program consists of the first week in the Maubara/Liquiça subdistricts followed by a week in a more remote community; however, Sr Filomena has decided to reverse this structure, thereby preventing the disorderly haste (and accompanying mess) when returning from afar and closing down the program. She’s not just a pretty face! Hence, Team 1 spent the first week in Maubisse, treating patients at the hospital clinic and in the health post of the more remote village of Maulau. Neil did the bulk of the slog, ably assisted by Patrick and Bony, while David got down to the nitty gritty of supervising Armando Martins and Ricardo Mendonça.

You may remember these infamous Maubisse boys – enthusiastic dental therapists, so dedicated to learning that last year they took the 8 hour return trip to Letefoho to work with Team 3 for half a day. David gave them valuable experience and knowledge in tooth extraction methods as well as in the use of different filling materials and preventive measures. They would have loved working with David and his team! (Pic: Denise, Neil, Bony)

Week 2 saw the team back in Maubara clinic, as well as in the Loes area, where they spent 3 days in Tapamanolu School and a day in Guiço School. They spent the last morning visiting the kids at the orphanage in Maubara, where Bony added his own special flavour to toothbrushing instruction. The team especially enjoyed Bony’s company, his exuberance and work ethic, so we have asked him to join us; he will be working with all future teams, except those heading out to Railaco – Father Bong has translators aplenty. Welcome to the TLDP, Bony! (Pic: Guiço gals)

The team had surprisingly few problems with equipment this trip. The ultrasonic scaler refused to work, and one generator was on the blink, but everything else must have shared in the general mood of this team and just worked!

Overall the team saw 456 patients, extracted 306 teeth, placed 196 fillings, and  carried out 223 preventive treatments. Good going Team! Thank you to you all for such wonderful work! (Pic: Bony demos toothbrushing)

The team, along with all of us at the TLDP would like to thank Sr Inacia, Sr Lourdes, Sr Rosa and Sr Eva in Maubisse for their hospitality and their delicious food – the team certainly did not starve over there. Thank you to Bony and Macu who helped the team tremendously not only with translation, but with a myriad of other tasks, which made their job much easier. Thank you to Sr Filomena who rules us with her heart of gold. It is always a privilege to spend time with her. Thank you to Daryl and Mario for keeping our car in top shape and making sure that our battery doesn’t die between trips. And a massive thank you to Henry Schein Halas, particularly Kelly Wood, for dealing with our latest disaster (the boat we sent with our supplies in February is seemingly on a worldwide cruise and we can expect to see our gear in July-ish). Thank you to everyone that makes our work possible.