ORDOT, Guam -- A Guam dental clinic and Marine Aircraft Group 12 servicemembers answered a call for help by donating approximately 100 pounds of dental supplies for use by doctors in Tinian.
Tinian’s small population rarely gets dentalcare due to its remote location in the Pacific.
The supplies, donated by Ordot Dental Clinic of Chalan-Pago Ordot, Guam, were retrieved by Lt. Col. Aisha Bakkar, Marine Forces Pacific (FWD) public affairs officer, Cmdr. Dean L. Hoelz, MAG-12 chaplain, and Petty Officer Second Class Adam Beyer, MAG-12 religious programmer, May 18.
The Ordot clinic, located on the east coast of Guam, is currently the only to reply to the neighboring island’s call for assistance.
“I received an e-mail this morning as soon as I came into work and as soon as I opened it up I realized they needed assistance in Tinian,” said Renaty Narcis, Ordot Dental Clinic business manager.
Upon arriving at the clinic, Bakkar, Hoelz and Beyer were led to the supplies, placed in cardboard boxes and set inside a nearby room.
“We’re always glad to help people, whether it’s here or over in Tinian or anywhere,” said Andrew Eusebio, Ordot Dental Clinic owner and dentist. “This kind of giving comes from the heart.”
Eusebio and Narcis helped load the supplies into a vehicle, shaking hands and talking with the servicemembers afterwards.
“We have extra materials we always store,” said Eusebio. “They’re all in good shape and within date, there’s nothing wrong with the items and we’re just happy to help.”
Some of the supplies donated by the clinic include anesthetics, toothbrushes, masks, sponges, child and adult toothbrushes, dental floss, cotton balls, needles, gloves, toothpaste and other useful items.
“Whenever we’re asked for assistance, we donate,” said Narcis. “Being that they are a neighboring island and there is a need for dental and health care, of course we’ll help in any way possible. We just wish we could give more.”
A C-130 delivered the supplies to Tinian the next day.
“We feel great getting the opportunity to help out,” said Narcis. “When this happened, we came together as a clinic and we all scrambled around the office to see what we could assist with. It was actually fun, everyone saying ‘let’s give this and let’s give that.’ Please, keep us on your list and if you ever need assistance any other time, we’ll be happy to help.”