Maryland Dentist Participates in Humanitarian Project in Guatemala

COLUMBIA, Md. - Oct. 2, 2015 - PRLog -- Pediatric dentist Deven Shroff, DMD, of Columbia, Maryland, has recently returned from volunteering his time and expertise to help children in Guatemala.  Along with his daughter, Anjali, age 18, Dr. Shroff participated in a 10-day field dental clinic with Global Dental Relief, a non-profit organization with a mission of bringing free dental care to children in need around the world.  He called his experience “unforgettable,” thanks to the “caring, compassionate team” he was part of and the fact that Global Dental Relief “simply does humanitarian dental work the right way.”

Utilizing the expertise, professionalism and unflappably positive demeanor developed over a career that has spanned two decades, Dr. Shroff proved himself an invaluable member of a team of 4 dentists, 3 dental hygienists and 12 non-medically trained volunteers ministering to the oral health of underprivileged Guatemalan children.  Dr. Shroff and his team worked tirelessly, providing complete, top-notch dental care to 783 Guatemalan children who otherwise have little or no access to dental care.  These children received 649 fillings, 116 extractions of heavily decayed teeth, a toothbrush and detailed instruction on proper brushing.

In volunteering to give the gift of quality dental care, Dr. Shroff has made a profound impact on the lives of needful Guatemalan children.  Kids free of pain and with strong teeth and gums are better able to focus in school and eat nutritiously, contributing to a positive cycle of healthy children ready to grow into educated, productive caretakers of the next generation.  In return, Dr. Shroff was treated to the famous hospitality of rural, highland Guatemala—“It is amazing to me,” he says, “how those who have so little can be so generous with what they do have in life.”

Dr. Shroff was motivated to volunteer by his daughter, Anjali, who, after providing dental care to underprivileged Americans through the charity Mission of Mercy last year, was anxious to continue her joint humanitarian efforts with her father.  Both Dr. Shroff and Anjali gave their all, working long days to ensure that no child would be turned away without treatment.  Yet looking back, Dr. Shroff believes that “I got way more than I gave.  I feel so fortunate to have had the skills needed to make a difference in these children’s lives and blessed to have been afforded the opportunity to have this experience.”

Global Dental Relief, and the children that they serve, certainly feel blessed to have had Deven and Anjali Shroff volunteer their time, expertise, hard work and infectious enthusiasm providing dental care to children in need.  Says Dr. Shroff, a man who has made a career out of caring, “When I think about those we were able to help and the warm smile or hug we received after helping them, it still brings me both a smile and a tear.”

About Dr. Deven Shroff

Dr. Deven Shroff, D.M.D., F.A.G.D., is a pediatric dentist living in Columbia, Maryland.  Upon attaining his Doctorate of Dental Medicine from Temple University in Philadelphia, he began a 9-year career with the U.S. Army Dental Corps, serving in Washington State, Germany, Bosnia, Korea and as Chief of Pediatric Dentistry at the Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C.  Shortly after his honorable discharge from the Army in 2003, Dr. Shroff became a partner in the smiles4children dental practice, with three locations across Maryland, where he has continued to work until the present day.  He is a Fellow in the Academy of General Dentistry, past president of the Maryland Academy of General Dentistry, a part-time faculty member at the University Of Maryland School Of Dentistry, and an Eagle Scout.  He received the Army Commendation Medal for outstanding service in Bosnia in 1999, and in 2002 he was awarded the Meritorious Service Medal for outstanding service to the Army.  In addition to Anjali, 18, Deven has a 14 year-old son, Anand, and has been happily married to his wife, Mona, since 1993.

About Global Dental Relief

Global Dental Relief (GDR) is a 501(c)3 charitable organization established in 2001 to provide free dental care and oral health education to children living in poverty. GDR’s commitment is to return to these same children every two years to provide continuous care throughout childhood. On average, teams treat 100 children per day to top-notch dental care. GDR currently offers sixteen clinics a year in five countries: Guatemala, Kenya, India, Nepal and Cambodia. Volunteer clinical work is combined with opportunities to explore local culture and participate in guided travel.  To date, GDR has hosted more than 1,500 volunteers and treated over 100,000 children.  To learn more about Global Dental Relief, visit www.globaldentalrelief.org or reach out to them at 1 (303) 858-8857 or info@globaldentalrelief.org.