Dr. Octavio’s First Dental Mission To Cuale River Village of Los Llanitos

And, How Expats Can Participate to Help

Are you leaving?

I was asked by a young lady with accented voice fatigue. Yes, I replied, we’re done….
The rest of the group formed by Dr. Guillermo, dental assistants Vero and Patty, and my friend Juan Alberto Lira, carefully have loaded our dental equipment and instruments, materials, medicines, etc., placing them into boxes and arranging them the best they could into two vehicles to begin our journey back home. We have just finished two intense working days, providing two consecutive days of service to the people of the community of Los Llanitos.

And when would you return?

I do not know, maybe in a month or two, I replied, while being aware, by the look on her face, her state of frustration.

-It’s that I just heard of you today in the morning, and I dressed as quickly as I could to bring my child who needs attention and, if you could, also see me…

We have two hours’ riding time on a horse from my ranch just to where the slope down starts to reach the Llanitos … but what is left to be done?, too late! …

At that time we all looked around at each other; I could see the weariness reflected in the faces of my companions, I also feel they were waiting for a decision to be taken by me. Definitely, we could not deny our help in such circumstances, and happily, despite our tiredness, we unpacked all the necessary equipment and instruments to take care of the lady and her young son.

It proved to be a special case because the child has some degree of autism and severe dental problems. After resolving his main complaint, I instructed his mother to do everything that was in her hands to bring the child to Puerto Vallarta, so that we could assist the child further under general anesthesia.

Her case, on the other hand, was more routine, so we were able to repair all that was needed immediately.

Three days later we brought the boy into our office to perform the repair surgery. Due to an accidental blow that moved a tooth through his cheek, he presented a chronic infectious case; we also completed several needed fillings. Mom asked us, at that time, we look over his ear because something had been bothering him for quite some time, and was not checked by a doctor.

While he was under sedation Dr. Santiago Torres, anesthesiologist, checked and extracted a large piece of chewing gum that was inside of the auditory canal. Neither we nor the mother could explain how this material ended up in there.

Dr. Santiago Torres, generously, collaborated with attention to the child applying anesthesia and gum removal at no charge. Thank you, doctor!

The Llanitos is a small town with about 100 houses, located in the mountains that frame the Cuale River Canyon; nearly twenty kilometers from Puerto Vallarta, but feels farther because of the winding road conditions and inclines; you can say that more than 80% are inclines and curves.

At the invitation of our friends Benjamin Calleja and his wife Dolores Aguirre we went to this beautiful mountain area, to take our dentistry services to assist so many people in need that, for many reasons, cannot have it. In total there were 53 people that we helped during this first two-day trip to Los Llanitos.

It is very gratifying to receive the thanks of the people we serve.

Some gave us nopales, others handmade tortillas from home grown corn, also presented us with homemade panela cheese.

As it was Sunday, there was a rodeo birthday party, and someone in the village, gave us carnitas. They are simple people trying to reciprocate with something for what they have received: our welcome service.

We enjoyed a great time at their homes, savoring delicious tortillas, making tacos gordos with beans and a good deal of cheese, carnitas and nopales salad with enchilosa sauce. It tasted heavenly!

We also treasure the beautiful memories that stayed with us after having the privilege of serving these people.

All this achievement is obtained by a joint determination, the willingness of the group to work without pay on our days off , effort and initiative of our beloved friend Engineer Juan Alberto Lira, who is responsible for raising funds among his friends to buy mobile dental equipment, materials and his personal participation in transportation of equipment and team members.

We decided to call ourselves “Helping Hands”. So far we are just a few members: Mr. Juan Alberto Lira, dental assistants Patty Sanchez, Vero Morales, Dr. Guillermo Renteria, and myself, Dr Octavio.

Later on we will be joined by Drs. Paola V. Banda, Frida Del Llano and Erika Bladinieres, Dentists, and one more dental assistant, Nora A. Hernandez, and my wife Mari, an Acupuncturist, who will serve in her area of expertise. They are all excited to collaborate in this gratifying endeavor.

Perhaps our next mission will be to Gargantillo or Campo Acosta, where we have been invited, but we will also return to Los Llanitos after the rainy season ends because there is still much work to do there.

Here’s How Expats Can Also Help

Happy Hours, Toothbrushes and Toothpaste Of Course!

As you well know, ExPats In Vallarta has never asked for money or anything else from our members for any charitable group even though we know there are a lot of worthwhile efforts locally that many of you already participate in. We are making an exception for this one, but we are not asking for money here either.

We have summer Happy Hours scheduled for July 23 and August 6.

If you are willing, please bring several toothbrushes and toothpaste which we will collect at Langostinos and deliver to Dr Octavio.

Thank you very much.

Dr. Adrian Octavio Lomeli
Dental Avant Garde
Email: info@dentalavantgarde.com
Phone: Local 322-224-0243 From US and Canada 011-52-322-224-0243
Website: www.dentalavantgarde.com