Clyde Munro dentists head to Peru

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Posted by: Dental Design 12th November 2024

Ross and Nadia Ellison, dentists from Clyde Munro Dental Group’s M&S Dental Care in Fort William, headed to Peru with Vine Trust to provide essential dental care to some of the most remote communities in the country.

The trip saw the couple travel down the Amazon with an array of other healthcare and education professionals, stopping at various villages along the way. With each layover, the group of volunteers provided essential care and support for local families, doing what they could to improve hundreds of individuals’ health and quality of life.

Ross shares his and Nadia’s excitement at being able to fulfil a dream they’d both had for some time:

“We came across Vine Trust when at the University of Dundee and have been keen to get involved ever since. The time just seemed right – we spoke to others who have done it, got all the advice we needed and Clyde Munro have been very supportive in giving us the time out of practice.”

The trip of a lifetime

Describing the two-and-a-half-week trip with 10 intensive days on the boat, Ross continues:

“The dental need in this area of Peru is substantial, so it was fantastic to be able to have a positive impact on the people there. We began the journey in Iquitos, which is the largest city in the world not accessible by road. From there, we visited several villages along the Amazon, joining other healthcare and education professionals looking to make a difference. It was intense but hugely rewarding.

“Prior to leaving, the Peruvian Amazon region had experienced drought conditions that threw into question what sized boat we would need to use to access all the villages on the route. Although water levels were lower than normal for the time of year, the organisers were fantastic at finding ways to get our group to the different communities.

“Although the charity does everything it can to ensure professional volunteers have adequate equipment and tools at their disposal, we were still restricted in what dental treatments we could be provide. As such, we were mostly offering extractions and fillings, alongside giving oral health education and any other support we could offer. Nadia and I took some donated bamboo toothbrushes with us too, which were gratefully received by patients.

“On a personal note, it was mind-blowing to experience the natural beauty in this part of the world. Nadia is also a wildlife lover, so enjoyed this unique opportunity to learn more about the native birds and animals. This was our first time in South America and the Amazon certainly didn’t disappoint.”

More about Vine Trust

Vine Trust is an international development charity that operates in Peru and Tanzania. Its goal is to strengthen health systems and support construction in isolated communities in the Amazon and on Lake Victoria. An array of medical and building expeditions are organised each year, as well as projects designed to help high school students learn more about sustainable international development.

Since 2001, Vine Trust medical programmes have delivered more than 2.5 million consultations for remote communities, with additional projects building more than 140 new homes for vulnerable families. More details about current projects or how you could get involved can be found on the website, vinetrust.org.

Fulfilling a bucket list experience

Reflecting on the trip and what it meant to them, Ross adds:

“We tried to make sure we were as prepared as possible for our trip, learning some basic Spanish and reading up about what to expect from this area of the country. We also had to contact our indemnity companies to ensure our policies were up-to-date and suitable for our visit.

“In the end, it was every bit of the adventure we hoped it would be. It was amazing and humbling to see how such remote villages get by day-to-day – we would recommend the experience to any dentists!

“We are grateful to Clyde Munro for making it possible for Nadia and I to take part in this experience. We’d also like to thank everyone who donated to our cause. The trip was entirely self-funded, so any funds we raised go directly to Vine Trust in order to support the invaluable work they do.”

Anyone who wishes to support the Vine Trust and the life-changing work it does in isolated communities in Peru and Tanzania can do so at https://www.vinetrust.org/fundraising/page/ross-and-nadia-peru-dental-volunteering-66a7b2a7c53432.62735648.