Melissa in Cambodia

Posted: 29 July 2010

Apollonia Dental & Cosmetic Centre On Rodney Street in Liverpool are proud to announce that our dentist Dr Melissa Goddard flew to Cambodia to work as a volunteer in Phnom Penh last Thursday over the summer!! We her colleagues are already missing her bubbly personality, but we know that what she is doing is for charity and a fantastic opportunity and good cause. Facilities within the clinics/hospitals are basic and treatments are not of the standards that we expect here in the West. Volunteering in this way is an excellent way to gain medical work experience combined to help people in some of the poorest medical institutions in the developing world and Dr Goddard realized the need for a non-profit portal that connects dental professionals with volunteering opportunities. The organization provide a wide range of dental services for mainly low-income Cambodian men, women and children, many of whom cannot afford private dental care. Costs to the patients are kept as low as possible (eg a simple restoration costs $2-$3). The teaching staff are primarily Cambodian dentists, however there are several (mainly part-time) expatriate staff. Most of the patients are treated by dental students, and volunteers will generally supervise and assist the students. There are also facilities for dentists to treat some patients themselves, and students can observe and assist. Dr Goddard will be sending us video footage of her experience shortly, so remember to keep checking our blogs for regular updates.