10 News & Opinions DENTAL TRIBUNE Middle East & Africa Edition FDI, FOLA and DTI launch campaign for Haitian dentists Javier M. de Bison DT Latin America PANAMA CITY, Panama: The president of the Haitian Dental Association Dr. Samuel Prophet has told Dental Tribune Latin America that he and several colleagues he was able to contact in Port-au-Prince were fine after the devastating earthquake in his country. "So far, we only have reports of two missing dentists", Prophet wrote in an email. The recent earthquake not only devastated Haiti’s meager health resources, but also most dental practices. In a country were there were only 500 dentists for nine million people before AD FOLA president Adolfo Rodríguez, center, asking for help for Haiti at a meeting in Panama. In the image, he's surrounded by the president, right, and vicepresident of the Panama Dental Association. January 12th, the extent of the devastation has affected regular people and dental professionals alike. The president of the Latin American Dental Federation (FOLA), Dr. Adolfo Rodríguez, launched a campaign immediately after the quake to help both the general population and dental professionals in Haiti. Dr. Rodríguez, who's also the president of the Dominican Dental Association (AOP), is asking companies and dental professionals to donate dental instruments, materials, and equipment. He's organising the campaign for Haiti with the help of FDI World Dental Federation, and Dental Tribune International. In addition, Dr. Rodríguez is putting together teams of dental volunteers to travel to Haiti once the major health and humanitarian crisis are under control or at least manageable, to attend to the dental needs of the population. The hub for this effort would be the headquarters of AOP in Santo Domingo. "We also need to show our support for our colleagues in Haiti, most of whom have lost everything," Rodriguez said. "We need to get them back on their feet by helping them to rebuild their practices." Lost Practices Dr Prophet said in his email that "many of our colleagues have lost their practices and we were thinking about how to help them. It's very good news to know that FOLA, FDI and Dental Tribune are trying to help Haitian dentists." If dentists know "that help is on the way they can have hope!" Dental Tribune will publicize in its worldwide print and online editions the campaign for Haiti. At a meeting in Panama, Dr Rodríguez of FOLA received the support of the presidents of Central American dental associations, and made an emotional appeal to dental manufacturers to donate much needed supplies. He said Colgate has already agreed to donate brushes and toothpaste, and that he intended to meet with KaVo do Brasil in the DT page 11 New Gate of Business Ga Op Opportunities 2 2010 which is going to be held in Amman, Jordan on the 18th – 21st October 2010. th It will be a comprehensive exhibition covering : mp Surgery, Diagnostic, Pharmaceuticals, Di Dental, Rehabilitation, Den Laboratory an all the other medical fields. and Tel : + 962 6 5527066 / 5527411 Fax : +962 6 5527311 / 5562411 www.me-medexpo.com E: info@me-medexpo.com Media Partners & Sole Agents Agent Jordan Supporters Iraq Supporters Organizer