Apex Dental's Jamaica Dental Mission 2019

DES MOINES, Iowa - Dec. 20, 2019 - PRLog -- The Apex Dental team of dentists, clinical and support staff recently returned from a mission trip where they spent four days delivering much needed dental care to more than 200 children and adults at the Grange Hill settlement in Jamaica. Apex Dental partnered with Great Shape, which aims to bring quality, compassionate dental care to underserved communities in Jamaica.

Dr. Brad and Dr. Mindy Richtsmeier place great importance in community outreach and giving back. They have taken their generosity a step further by going on several mission trips outside of the USA. In 2012, Dr. Brad and Dr. Mindy worked with a non-profit dental organization called Great Shape on the 1,000 Smiles Project. They were overcome with gratitude from the experience and knew they wanted to share that feeling with their team in the future. Fast-forward seven years and this fall, Dr. Brad, Dr. Mindy and the Apex Dental Team departed again from West Des Moines for sunny Jamaica.

The Apex Dental team spent four long days providing care to over 220 Jamaicans, and performed over 270 procedures. Working conditions were sub-par, but because of the hard work of the clinical staff members and their front office support, they were able to see more patients than expected.

A few locals worked with the Apex Dental team to spread the word about the clinic and to help keep the clinic organized so more patients could be seen. Even though the days started early and ended late, it did not seem to matter because of the feeling of being able to help so many people.

"The trip was fantastic! One of the biggest blessings was getting placed back in the same rural community that Brad and I had worked in 7 years ago when we volunteered there. One of the community members and I recognized each other immediately and, after an excited embrace, she told me that, although other volunteers have been there every year since, she has been praying for the day that Brad and I would return. That moment was definitely my high point. being able to share this experience with our entire staff this year was amazing. I have such gratitude for the organization and execution of these projects by the Great Shape! nonprofit group, and I look forward to continued work with them in the future." Said Dr. Mindy Richtsmeier

This experience would not have been possible without the support of patients and their willingness to be understanding as the majority of the Apex Dental team was out of the country.

Dr. Brad, Dr. Mindy and the Apex Dental team (https://apexdentaliowa.com) are thrilled to share their experience, and hope it inspires others to do some good too.