World Dental Relief

World Dental Relief

609 North Main Street ? PO Box 747 Broken Arrow OK 74013-0747

(918) 251-2612 fax (918) 251-6326 dentalreliefinc@



October 2013 Can you imagine having 21 of the brightest of 400 college applicants in the dental school class and NONE of them have ever been to a dentist? They were asked, "How many had ever owned a toothbrush?" Only 3 had ever owned a toothbrush. Why? Because they were too expensive! How many had ever seen Bible scripture in their own language of Tigrinya? NONE. This is Ethiopia! Dr. John Balikowski and Dr. Randy Grill have just started the new freshman class of the WDR Dental School. Second year students have already been in classes for about a month. They are in the dental clinic learning how to operate the chairs, lights, x-ray units, autoclave and other equipment while practicing on mannequin heads, before they see real live patients!

Dr. John Balikowski helping students learn to use the equipment and work on mannequin heads.

Here is a report we just received from Dr. Balikowski:

Dear Family and Friends,

We are well into the new school year at our World Dental Relief Dental School. There have been a few changes at our college which has added some additional courses for our dental staff to teach. I am so thankful for Dr. Randy Grill and four Ethiopian teachers for our staff. Without them I would not be able to keep up with the extra teaching.

Our returning second year students have been at the school for about a month now. Our new freshman students will start this Monday. I was simply amazed when I found out that there were 400 students that wanted to join our freshman class. Yes, 400!!!. We were only able to accept 21 because of limited space and resources, like textbooks, supplies, etc.

Your partner in Ethiopia, Dr. John

Most of these students come from poor families who make $8-$10 per week. Not enough to purchase a $2 "expensive" toothbrush. Their money must be used to purchase food each week for the family to exist. We honestly do not know how they do it!

The WDR Dental School is an opportunity for them to have a profession in life, a means to support their family, while helping their community with a service that is non-existent now in Ethiopia. The government will pay them about $150 per month during their two years of service. That does not sound like much, but it beats $40 a month at a nominal job. Life is tough in Ethiopia.

These young men and women will have a lifetime of service in their homeland. They know their own people, they know the language and they will be well respected leaders in their country for a lifetime. The big investment in equipment, shipping and setting up the dental school has been completed. Now we move forward training these students to use their skills and talents to help others.

I need your support for Dr. John, Dr. Randy and our four Ethiopian instructors to train these young nationals. Please help us obtain the necessary supplies to train these eager young men and women. The opportunity for us to work in Ethiopia is wide open. I need your help now.

Thank you in advance,

Ron Lamb, DMD

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