On August 27 the Dentists, Hygienists, Dental Assistants and Business Staff of Enspire Dental volunteered their time to treat patients from Nicaragua. The group from Nicaragua was in Southeastern Michigan to receive medical care for a heart condition that could not be treated in their home country.Cardiologists and staff of Beaumont Hospital, Royal Oak, arranged travel and care for nine Nicaraguans through project "Restore the Rhythm." The nine patients, ages 15 to 31, each received free treatment at Beaumont for a potentially life-threatening condition that affects the heart rhythm.

The condition can be cured in more than 90 percent of cases with a single radiofrequency catheter ablation treatment done in an electrophysiology lab. There are no such labs in Nicaragua. One of the Beaumont coordinators who is a patient at Enspire Dental, asked if Enspire would be willing to provide dental care for these patients while they were in town. Within a tight schedule of medical treatments and travel arrangements, the plan was made to provide as much dental care as possible to these individuals in a single day. The patients arrived along with their escorts and host families.

Communication with the Spanish-speaking patients was accomplished through a single translator who accompanied them. Limited Spanish spoken by the dental staff was also very helpful. Every patient received a dental examination, x-rays and a cleaning as well as any necessary fillings. While some of the patients had received dental care in the past, others had never seen a dentist. At the end of the day, there were many smiles, hugs, and “Gracias” from a group of genuinely appreciative patients. The Enspire staff all agreed that it felt great to have the opportunity to help such a nice group of people.

Read the article in the Ann Arbor news by clicking here.