Dr. Rachel Returns From Another Successful Guatemala Mission
This past February, Dr. Rachel embarked on her third mission trip to Guatemala to volunteer her dental skills to the people of Comitancillo (Comi) with the Canadian based group Dentistry For All. She got involved with Dentistry For All through her dental fraternity, Alpha Omega, and has since gone each year with her boyfriend Dr. Richard Halpern, another Alpha Omegan. They both enjoy participating in this project and giving back to those less fortunate in the form of dentistry.
Pictured are Alpha Omegans during week 2 and 3 in Guatemala (R to L): Dr. Shane Fisher, Dr. Alan Ross, Dr. Mark Berkman, Dr. Rachel Davis, Dr. Richard Halpern and Dr. Brad Krusky.
Although this was Dr. Rachel's third mission, it was her second time visiting Comi and she was excited to return to the impoverished town where most of the families struggle on only a few dollars a day to survive. She was on the second of five weeks to make the trek down south to Central America.
One of the group leaders was living in Guatemala for 6 months trying to help erect a permanent clinic in Comi. The week Drs. Rachel and Richard were in Comi, the group leader was negotiating land plots and buildings, and arranging for Dentistry For All's future permanent clinic space.
This year Dr. Rachel was very fortunate to again receive donations from her dental suppliers. Without the help of such great companies and their generous donations, she could not have done such great work on the deserving community of Comi.
The list of this year's contributing companies are (in no particular order):
1. Benco Dental, represented by Marylou Bostock
2. Coltene Whaledent, represented by Pete Booker
3. Dentsply, represented by Kim Norton
4. Dentsply Tulsa, represented by Brad Lesshafft, Brad Spalding and Rob Felt
5. Kerr, represented by Nick Grove and Jon Moffitt
6. Pulpdent, represented by Heather Starlett
7. Brassler, represented by Sam Gaunt
8. Septodont, represented by Brad Sheely and Kelly Shearer
9. Colgate, represented by Christie Pfeffer
10. Crest, represented by Dan Mullaney
11. Heraeus, represented by Nick Fallat
12. SDI, represented by Suzanne Swan
13. GC America, represented by Cherrie Fuller
14. Medibadge, represented by Erika Teutsch
15. Cardinal Uniform, represented by Ron, Donna, Keith and Carre Tucker
Dr. Rachel, Marci and Rod pose in their scrubs
Thanks to Cardinal Uniform for supplying scrubs for the trip! 
In the past, Dr. Rachel's passion for Guatemala has been to treat the patients that need root canals to save front teeth.
This past year, Tulsa Dentsply donated three endodontic motors and even more root canal supplies! Dr. Rachel has since made an endodontic tub for all the endodontic supplies so that any volunteer dentist that feels comfortable doing a root canal on the trip can help a patient maintain their teeth.
The vision for Dentistry For All over the next few years, is to acquire more dentist and volunteers to staff a year-round dental clinic in Comi and to establish a working relationship with the citizens throughout Guatemala. One thing is for sure, once you have been to Guatemala and have experienced the culture and graciousness of the community, you will be become a regular on the Dentistry For All team and this is a healthy addiction.
If you are interested in volunteering or donating, please contact Dr. Rachel or check out the Dentistry For All website. You can also purchase beautiful artisan works from the people of Comi.
Guatemala 2010
Dr. Rachel and Staff Participate at Smile Ky! Again
Dr. Rachel and her staff volunteered at Smile Kentucky for the fifth year in a row. The staff participated in the dental screenings in the fall and the free dental procedures three months later at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry. This year, Dr. Rachel and her two assistants, Taylor and Diane, ventured to Brandeis Elementary to screen over 100 children in 
anticipation for the February 5 treatment day. They were met by the Metro Van at the school and spent over 3 hours screening second, third, fourth and fifth graders to determine who met the criteria for participation in the free dental work at the school. Dr. Rachel stated, “I’m surprised by the overall increase of children with less decay this year than in previous years. The work we are doing is paying off and we can now see our efforts are working by the clean and healthy mouths we are screening."
On Friday, February 5, 2010, Dr. Rachel brought her staff consisting of her hygienist, Carol and two assistants, Diane and Shayna. The day started early with 6 children to be seen within a four hour block. Half of the children that received worked had never been to the dentist before and received their first cleanings with fluoride treatment, fillings and protective sealants to prevent further decay. At the end of the day, the team was exhausted but their spirits were high by seeing all the smiling children they helped and changed their lives for the better.
The Davis Dental Center Travels to Eastern Kentucky to Volunteer for R.A.M.
Drs. Leslie and Rachel Davis, along with assistants Taylor, Ashley and Becca and hygienist Carol, travelled 4 hours to Pikeville County to participate in the Remote Area Medical (R.A.M.) clinic by volunteering their time and skills to help with the dental needs for the people of Eastern Kentucky. The program took place on June 27 and 28 in Pikeville County at the local high school. The Davis Dental Center joined the University of Louisville School of Dentistry group and worked both days and stayed l
ate in order to give back to the community. The Remote Area Medical® (RAM) Volunteer Corps is a non-profit, volunteer, airborne relief corps dedicated to serving mankind by providing free health care, dental care, eye care, veterinary services, and technical and educational assistance to people in remote areas of the United States and the world. Dr. Rachel, Taylor and Ashley provided dental services throughout the day and performed many restorative procedures such as white and silver fillings. Dr. Leslie Davis was one of two dentists who exclusively worked on removable appliances (i.e. dentures and partials) performing much needed relines and repairs. Carol was very busy with her phenomenal cleanings and oral hygiene instructions. The weekend enriched the lives of both the patients and the volunteers. The Davis Dental Center plans to participate again at the next RAM event. Please go to RAM's Website to learn more about RAM and how to get involved with our community.
Pikeville-RAM
Dr. Rachel returns from her Mission Trip to Guatemala
Dr. Rachel returned to Guatemala again this year to volunteer her time and services to the people of El Remate in the northeastern jungle area of Guatemala. Dr. Rachel left on February 26, 2009 and stayed 10 days working with the organization, Dentistry for All. Two general dentists (Drs. Josh Souweine and Dr. Rachel), two pediatric dentists (Drs. Brad Krusky and Richard Halpern) and one oral surgeon (Dr. Alan Ross) in combination saw over 300 patients in one week and performed almost 1000 procedures ranging from cleanings and exams to root canals and extractions.
Last year, Dr. Rachel was devastated by the lack of endodontic supplies and procedures (root canals) on the trip. There were multiple front teeth that could have been saved if only the supplies were available. This year, Dr. Rachel made it a priority to give these less fortunate people the opportunity to keep their front teeth by performing root canals. Dr. Rachel performed over 15 root canals and 4 partial root canals for the week and was deemed the "endodontist" for the trip. "It's such a great feeling knowing I can save a few teeth and spare these people the permanent loss of a front tooth," stated Dr. Rachel on the trip "a simple anterior root canal can be done efficiently in 30 minutes and gives back a smile they can be proud of."
Dr. Rachel received many donations from local and regional representative for her trip. With their help, Dr. Rachel and they were able to give much needed supplies and services. The representatives and their companies are as follows:
1. Kim Norton with Dentsply
2. Brad Lesshafft with Dentsply Tulsa
3. Nancy Jefferson with Pulpdent
4. Dan Mullaney with Procter & Gamble
5. Jon Moffett with Kerr
6. Pete Booker with Coltene Whaledent
7. Mary Lou Bostick with Benco Dental
8. Christie Pfeffer with Colgate
9. Heather Starrett with Ultradent
Thank you so much to everyone that made this trip a success!
Guatemala Dental Mission
Dr. Rachel and staff volunteer at Smile Ky! on Feb 6, 2009
On February 6, 2009, Dr. Rachel, Stephanie (hygienist), Ashley and Erin (dental assistants) volunteered all day at the University of Louisville School of Dentistry for the nationwide Give Kids a Smile Day, AKA Smile KY! Over 300 children from Jefferson and surrounding counties were bused down to the School of Dentistry to have free dental work completed by volunteers just like the Davis Dental Center. This team of four saw 10 patients, ranging is ages from 8-13 y.o. Every patient received a thorough cleaning and fluoride treatment, sealants were placed on all molars and multiple fillings were performed. "This is a great way to give back to the community," stated Dr. Rachel after completing the event. "We have been volunteering for Smile Ky for the past four years and can see the benefits it give to the kids and our community. We'll definitely be back next year!"
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