| IN THE SPOTLIGHT
Fellow Dr. Phil Plunk has diagnosed many patients’ carious teeth in his 23 years as a dentist. However nothing in North Texas comes as close to the neglected teeth and mouths he has seen in war-torn Guatemala. The only relief from pain and infection is when some medical/dental or mission team pays a visit.
After 16 years of weeklong trips to treat Guatemalans, Dr. Plunk will set up two clinics for free dental and medical care in this country. Dr. Plunk and his wife, JoAn Dwyer, a longtime social worker, leave their home in Allen for a two year stay at a Mayan village called Camanchi and another city on the edge of Quetaltenango, the country’s second largest city. The Mayan are the indigenous people of Guatemala, nearly all are impoverished with some having the highest level of illiteracy. Many of who suffered greatly during the recently ended 36-year civil war. This program is affiliated with the United Methodist Church. The couple with a skeleton crew will renovate vacant buildings into clinics. They will assemble the donated equipment and prepare to train local dentists and medical intern and hold classes in nutrition, dental and prenatal care, The couple’s church, Northaven United Methodist, has donated $30,000 for the clinics and an additional $7,000 through other sources including the Academy of Dentistry international’s Foundation. A minimal amount of $120,000 is the estimated requirement. The short-term goal is to expand dental services. The long-term goal is to interest local and other dentists, physicians and paramedics in the next few years to serve the communities to visit and provide treatment on a regular basis. Dr. Plunk practiced in Amarillo, Texas before moving to Dallas where he practiced within the state prison system. Ms. Dwyer is the executive director of the new Beginning Center woman’s shelter in Garland, Texas.
|
Programs: Guatemala 
