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Health & Fitness

200 Patients Receive Teeth Spa in Haiti

Robb Thompson Ministries in partnership with Family Harvest Church conducted a dental clinic in St. Marc, Haiti, May 4th - 12th, 2013. Over 200 patients received treatment and prayer.

Most fear the dentist more than Freddy Krueger, Jason or those crazy children of the corn but in Haiti, everything changes. Robb Thompson Ministries in partnership with Family Harvest Church in Tinley Park sponsored a dental clinic in St. Marc, Haiti. 

Robb Thompson Ministries annually travels to Haiti since the 2010 earthquake. Initially, it was to rebuild walls but this year it was to rebuild teeth. The Robb Thompson Ministries team traveled to Haiti, May 4th - May 12th, 2013. 

"It's never easy traveling to Haiti, especially when you are reliant on equipment. Each trip, we have encountered many trials; from generators failing to lack of any electricity. It is a major challenge relying on things we call standard in America," said Tasha Weatherspoon, missions coordinator at Robb Thompson Ministries. 

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On one of the days, they encountered riots in the streets. On another day, it was equipment failure. No matter what obstacles, the team pressed on for four straight days. 

Each day the team would find people lined up before they arrived. They had never seen people so anxious to have their teeth examined. "Most Haitians have never been to the dentist or to a doctor. It is too expensive for them, so most allow their teeth to rot or visit the local witch doctor," said Carolyn Walker, founder of Touch Ministries in Haiti. 

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So when the Haitian community became aware of the Robb Thompson Ministries team conducting a free dental clinic, the lines became longer and longer. "It's amazing when I see how many patients we see in one day in the USA versus how many we see in Haiti. There is so much need, I only wish we had more people and time," said Stephanie Tamayo, dental lead of the Robb Thompson team. 

The team was able to see 200 patience in only four days. This did not account for some who were unable to be seen due to such high blood pressure. But, no matter who was worked on, all were prayed for and taught proper dental prevention. 

"Robb Thompson Ministries is about creating lasting change. When we come all the way out to Haiti to teach, pray and aid in better health it speaks volumes to our motto, I absolutely love it," said Patty Plante, director of Robb Thompson Ministries.

Our team estimates they were able to give away between $12,000 - $15,000 worth of dental work to the Haitian community of St. Marc and its surrounding areas. 

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