East Timor Dental Program

Founded in 2001, the initiative of the East Timor Dental Program aids and improves the dental services provided to East Timorese citizens. Dr Terence Yuen and Dr Richard Salter have organised approximately 35 trips to East Timor with other dentists, dental students, dental nurses, hygienists and therapists. The team travel to Dili, East Timor to visit surrounding villages and perform volunteer dental care. This includes essential dental services as well as tutoring and mentoring local dental nurses.

At present the Lions Club provides the majority of funding through donations. Additionally events such as quiz nights and raffles raise funds which help to finance equipment and resources. Furthermore, each person self funds their flights. Domingos Maia, an East Timorese Dental Nurse, is employed by the organisation at the Dili clinic. He continues the work provided by the organisation in their absence. Medical supplies are donated and transported with each visit.

SIFE, The University of Adelaide has already donated a laptop and is currently organising the purchase and transportation of a fridge for the Dili clinic to store medical supplies. SIFE's aim is to expand and increase the overall affect of the program. SIFE will provide funding to employ other dental nurses throughout East Timor. This will allow more dental care to be provided while the team is not visiting. Also SIFE will design and develop a website to increase the awareness of the program which will encourage more people to donate their time and money.