A Region VIII (Australasia) PFA Project

The Master of Endodontics program at International University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia.

Commencing in August 2014, and led by Australian endodontists Associate Professor Peter Cathro, Winthrop Professor Paul Abbott and well-known Sydney practitioner Dr Steven Cohn, the group which includes Professor Robert Love and Professor Callum Durwood aim to provide specialist level teaching and training in Endodontics with the long-term goals of improving endodontic education and treatment in Cambodia.

With an overall target budget of $35,000 over three years, the project was initially sponsored by the International Federation of Endodontic Associations which assisted purchase of basic endodontic instruments and materials. The group has also requested help from other Academies, Colleges, and Societies.

Pierre Fauchard Region VIII, Australasia was pleased to approve funding over a three-year period of $AUD9000.

This will be used to assist the purchase of further equipment and materials, as well as travel costs for volunteer teachers if sufficient funds are received overall.

Several other endodontists have expressed an interest in helping by visiting Cambodia to provide block teaching and clinical supervision of the students. Dr Marcus Yan, a Sydney-based Endodontist, and Dr Erika Vinczer, an Adelaide-based Endodontist, have both already visited Cambodia, with other endodontists donating equipment and some money to assist the project.

Although mostly accommodated by the clinics of the Faculty of Dentistry at the International University, Phnom Penh, Cambodia, students will also use their own private practice clinics for some clinical cases, as well as clinics conducted by various charity organisations in Cambodia.

The four local Cambodian dentists will be trained to be endodontists in Cambodia, and they’ll continue to practice in their country once the program of training is complete.

Further information or if you would like to assist, please contact the Academy.

 

Pierre Fauchard Academy Humanitarian Projects

One of the most important functions of the PFA is service to our profession, our communities, and to society.  It is one of our reasons for being; it is helping others, giving back or paying it forward. Many sections organize or participate in service projects, which encourages involvement, strengthens the academy, and enhances the value of Fellowship.

Objective #6 of our Academy says, “encourage improvement of the oral health of the public through prevention, therapy, and restoration.”  Objective #7 states: “encourage fellowship among the membership and emphasize understanding of our professional responsibility to the public.”  

By volunteering in our field, we combine our desire to Give Backwith our Greatest Strength: Our Dental Skills.  We invite all our Fellows to find a project to become involved with.

Many of these projects have received PFA Foundation Grants. One of the benefits for involved Sections is that they can apply for PFA Foundation grants for worthy service projects.  Grants are awarded up to the following amounts: $5,000 for Pierre Fauchard Academy Section programs in which a significant number of Fellows participate; and $10,000 for service projects that provide increased access to dental care for the public in need. http://www.foundationpfa.org/grants.html

Here are some of the humanitarian projects PFA Fellows are involved in around the world:

MISSION of MERCY (MOM) Events

Mission of Mercy events across America have been providing free dental services for the underserved since 2000.
Each year, more state organizations have joined the effort to make a difference.
Mission of Mercy events have helped over 100,000 patients and provided nearly 50 million dollars in free services since 2000.

The following states have a significant number of PFA Fellows participating in Mission of Mercy (MOM) projects: Alaska, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Georgia, Pennsylvannia, Minnesota, Mississippi, Wisconsin.


“Give Kids a Smile” Day events: Georgia, Nevada


Donated Dental Services (DDS): Louisianna, Rhode Island, Wisconsin


International Projects:

Colorado PFA Dental Mission to Panama

Donate a Smile – Dental Relief Project:  Central Africa Republic