Dental Charity Work

Recently, I had the honor of performing dental charity work in Tegucigalpa, Honduras.

Over three days, I and two other dentists from Honduras treated over 200 patients, providing them with necessary, extractions, restorations (fillings), cleanings, and education. Meanwhile, other members of our group traveled to local schools providing mineral treatments and passing out toothbrushes. In total, they saw close to 2,000 children.

Unfortunately, the majority of the kids I saw were already dealing with serious dental conditions. Rampant decay, painful abscesses, and adult teeth already needing root canals or extractions were common sights.

Even so, I truly believe that people are placed in your life for a reason. It was such an honor to be called to help in this way. This experience completely validated my purpose in life and has made my difficult career journey completely worth it.

The trip also inspired me to participate in and coordinate charity work right here in the U.S., as well as abroad. I currently serve as a board member for the Powhatan Dental Outreach Foundation for Children, a charity that strives to educate patients on proper hygiene and provides regular dental visits to children who are without dental insurance. In addition to providing quality dental care in central Virginia, we also work abroad, in places like Honduras and Romania.

-- Dr. Dylan McKnight