LETTER TO THE EDITOR

Abstract

September 8, 2008 Dear Dr. Felton, I read with personal interest your editorial: “To Boldly Go Where No Man (Prosthodontist) Has Gone Before.” I am old enough to remember the series and 39 episodes. Speaking of where “no prosthodontist has gone before,” in 1997, as part of a licensing requirement for dentists in Costa Rica, I participated in a “rifa” for a 1-year placement and work in remote communities. Rifa literally translated means a lottery. As part of the licensing requirement in Costa Rica, every dentist must enter this rifa. At this meeting each person selects a number, and when it is his or her turn, selects a remote area to work in for the year. Because I was a foreigner, I got to select last. My area was the jungles and mountains of the Talamanca Reserve living and providing dental services to the Bribri and Cabecar indigenous population. Talamanca was not popular or desirable. It was the only place remaining, when it was my turn to choose. Since then, I have been returning to Talamanca 2 to 3 times a year to continue serving these incredibly needy people. In 2005, when horrific rains and flooding destroyed what little resources they had, I founded Project Talamanca with two former students. We started as a group of five, and recently returned from the region as a group of 32. During this past ‘campo de trabajo’ (8/31-9/5) we provided care to more than 600 patients, accomplished close to 2,000 procedures (periodontia, endodoncia, restorative, diagnostic, surgeries, etc) from Monday to Friday in more than ten remote communities. Two research projects were begun: one an epidemiological study into the oral health problems among these people; the other into the causes and treatment of Papalamoya (Leishmaniasis Tropicalis). We are serving communities that have no electricity of drinkable water in over 100° (F) heat. We are working with the DEBRA (Dystrophic Epidermolysis Bullosa Research Association) Foundation to establish scholarships and opportunities for the youth to continue their education at Universities in San Jose. In fact, one Bribri is studying dentistry with a full scholarship at a private university here. More than 60% of the adults are partially or completely edentulous. Many of the children and adolescents have malocclusion, for which orthodontics is not an option. We are looking for prosthodontic remedies. I truly believe that Project Talamanca and its members have made the voyage to that place you describe—“where no prosthodontist has gone before”—and I would also add, an area and population that few people express interest or support. Would you like to help us? Are there prosthodontists who would like to provide financial support to this project? Or, are there prosthodontists who would like to “go where no prosthodontist has gone before” in the most literal interpretation of that phrase? Thank you for your time and attention. In 1995, Dr. Aborn left a New York City 5th Avenue dental practice to practice in Costa Rica. He operates a private practice in San Jose, CR (http://www.dentalmedicinecr.com/). Dr. Aborn's commitment and generosity to Project Talamanca have already been recognized by CNN, which put him on the top 100 list of ‘CNN heroes’—a program that searches out unsung heroes around the world who give an exceptional service to others. Dr. Aborn delivered the first dentures and did the first root canal treatments ever to be performed on the reserve.