Dr. William Glaros, DDS Completes His 7th Mission Trip to Guatemala in Partnership with Faith in Practice

SPRING, Texas, Jan. 30, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- Texas Biological Dentist Dr. William P. Glaros and his wife Joanne return to Guatemala to work with other healthcare professionals in providing care to the residents of a small town near Retalhuleu.

During last year's mission, Dr. Glaros offered dental care to over 300 residents of a small town in Guatemala. Other medical practitioners provided vitamin A for infants and children up to 5 yrs old, Albendazole and triage for other residents. Albendazole, a vital medicine in the fight against parasites, treats neurocysticercosis (an infection caused by the pork tapeworm in the muscles, brain, and eyes that may cause seizures, brain swelling, and vision problems).

To maximize the value of every dollar used by Faith in Practice, practitioners pay their flight, food, and shelter expenses individually. Dr. and Mrs. Glaros take a week off each January to join these caring professionals in sharing their skill, knowledge, and compassion with residents who have very little access to care. Last year the Glaroses spent two days in the village of Las Marias working in a school made of cinder block. Rooms were set up inside the school for a pharmacy, a lab, general medicine, dentistry, etc... even ophthalmology, cardiology, and pediatrics. The school had electricity and running water, which made providing care that much easier.

The next two days were spent at the Hilario Galinda hospital. The dental clinic at the hospital was most impressive with a bright new building and even air conditioning. At each site, volunteers were ready to assist as needed. Everyone knows his/her job and works diligently to fulfill his/her responsibility plus offers to chip in when someone else needs a hand. The detailed preparation for these trips is also a reason that the Glaroses return each year. Local Guatemalan Network Directors are setting the stage with invitations to the patients before the US team arrives. All the supplies and medications arrive carefully packed so that team members have everything they need, including food and safe drinking water.

In 2011, the US team provided care to 1835 men, women, and children and 323 dental patients for a total 2158, people served. In these numbers, there are personal stories of sadness, despair, triumph, and hope. "We cannot know how these visits ultimately affect the patients seeking care, but we do know that at least one woman has hope that she will not continue into complete blindness because she will receive surgery that should save the sight in one eye. We know patients received hearing aids that will certainly change their life situation. We know medications will alleviate pain and stop infections, and that teeth extracted will stop infections from spreading," said Joanne Glaros. Dr. and Mrs. Glaros' prayer is that the four days spent in Guatemala will improve and brighten individual lives and eventually the community.

Since 1991 Faith in Practice has partnered with healthcare professionals to provide much needed care to the poor in Guatemala. To find out how you can help or participate, please contact Dr. Glaros at 281-440-1190 or visit the Faith in Practice web site: http://www.faithinpractice.org.

About Dr. Glaros:

Mercury-Free, Mercury-Safe, Biological Dentistry is what Dr. Glaros' practice is all about. His office provides Spring, TX, residents with safe, effective, alternative dentistry in a "green" state-of-the-art office. For more information about Dr. Glaros, please call 281-440-1190 or visit online: http://www.biologicaldentist.com.

Contact:
Joanne Glaros
William P. Glaros, D.D.S.
281-440-1190
http://BiologicalDentist.com

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SOURCE William P. Glaros, D.D.S.