Page 22 - ICD Newsletter November 2022 Final Draft6

Not only did our team complete an incredible amount spectacular but arduous 12-hour road trip to reach
of work, but also completed a much needed clean Chialsa. The Chialsa Project is vital in a region where
out of the aging materials and equipment, initiated the Sherpa families are so poor and are unable to
by the ever efficient and tireless Lynne, Gemma, and obtain basic medical and dental treatment. It is a
Melinda. They stayed after clinic hours to conduct a week of working in a unique location (2700m altitude)
comprehensive stock take and clean out. with morning views above the clouds for incredible
stoic and resilient people.

In summary, the work completed included: 181 Pleasingly the oral health of the school children has
examinations, 62 extractions (mainly deciduous), improved. Thanks to the time invested in treatment
270 fillings, 17 sealants, 35 scale and cleans, 21 and prevention by the visiting teams and heartily
radiographs and 4 RCTs. Unfortunately, at this visit, supported by the teaching staff, we are seeing
there was little time for a more preventive approach. positive results for the Sherpa students at school in
During my second visit for two weeks in October, I Chialsa in the Solukhumbu district.
was joined by two teams - one group for the Kopan
clinic and the other for Chialsa. We caught up on a George Manos,
lot of unfinished work, particularly with the younger georgemanos1972@gmail.com
8 to 12-year-old group at Kopan and completed many
scale and cleans for the senior monks. The team
included Mark Nathan, Sherri Simmonds, and Margo Rotary Tonga Dental, Medical
Adamska. Plans for a further upgrade of equipment and Schools Project 2022
are in place for 2023.
Editor’s Note: Fellow David Goldsmith returned from
two weeks in Tonga in October and has sent an extensive
report about the culmination of projects he has been
leading there over the past several years. Below is
an abbreviated version of the dental component of
David’s incredible work. TV video coverage of the
opening ceremonies for the new facilities provided by
Rotary at both Queen Salote College and Tupou College
are available for viewing on Facebook and youtube:

Queen Salote College - CLICK HERE to view the
Commissioning of the Tupou College Dental Clinic on
Facebook.
The dedicated Chialsa group were led by John Denton
and Jude Allsopp who helped initiate the remote Tupou College - CLICK HERE to view the Inspection
clinic in 2016. They were joined by Atish and Lynne, Celebration of Tupou College Toloa Dental Clinic on
who returned for a second time this year. It is a You Tube.

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