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Amazon Promise is a U.S. non-profit organization, exempt from federal income tax under section 501(c)(3) of the Internal Revenue Code. Under state law, which will vary from state to state, and federal law, which may change annually, a large portion, if not all of your trip is tax deductible in the United States. Likewise, monetary donations made in the U.S. are tax deductible.
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Amazon Promise is thankful to Dr. Bob Fulton for helping to develop a dental program to complement the organization's medical work in Peru. Amazon Promise believes medical care alone is not sufficient for delivering effective, sustainable health care. Poor oral health is ubiquitous in the region. It leads to infection and a level of pain and suffering that must be addressed if we are to facilitate genuine quality of life improvements for the people there. Additionally, the connection between oral health and general systemic health is well known; Amazon Promise is dedicated to providing care and treatment in both realms and encourages interested dentists and dental students to join us.
I have been a practicing dentist in the United States for 30 years. If you're serious about undertaking a Promise Expedition into the remote jungles of Peru, know you're about to experience one of the most rewarding dental and personal experiences you will ever have in your life.
There is a huge need for dental services in the Upper Amazon Basin, especially among the river people, whose lives are more closely touched by the developed world. The people of this region consume much sugar, obtained from candy or the sugar cane they grow themselves. The experience of Amazon Promise expedition teams is that the further into the jungle one goes – and the further away from Western foods – the better the teeth are, relatively speaking.
This trip is not a holiday to the South of France. You will work very hard. No, actually, you'll work damn hard, and be paid only with the pure, honest, undying gratitude of these wonderful people. Please don't think for one minute that you're going to help the "poor" people in the jungle. These people are the true vanishing children of the earth, with their own culture and values. You will come back a completely changed person with regard to the way you look at yourself, your own life, and your culture - they have so very much to teach us. You will work within 5 to 10 feet of a shaman chanting a healing ritual. We work with the culture, not at the culture.
Since there is no electricity, save for a generator here or there, you will be mostly limited to only oral surgery in the remote areas. Personally, I've removed 380 teeth. Once Amazon Promise's clinic is up and running in Belen, a more complete approach will be offered.
I'm still not sure what it takes to be a dentist in Peru. I will start to seriously approach this topic as we gear up to staff the Belen clinic. There are many different "schools" with various requirements for admission and/or graduation. Currently, there are some prosthodontic technicians who make "teeth." Considering what they are working with, they function relatively well.
As you plan your trip, you may want to get your dentistry school or local supply houses to donate anesthetic, surgical sponges, antibiotics, etc. Anything that has a shelf life.
We look forward to you joining us on an upcoming Promise Expedition!
Dr. Bob is the recipient of the American Dental Association's Meritorious Service Award for International Dentistry. He has a full-time practice in Ohio and is Director of Dentistry for Amazon Promise. Click here to read a Trip Report about his first expedition.