Translated by Ariel Tsai
Edited by Ariel Tsai
Tzu Chi International Medical Association (TIMA) of New York recently brought its Dental Mobile Clinic to Sunset Park in Brooklyn, New York, for the first time, providing free dental checkups, teeth cleaning, oral examinations, and health education services to disadvantaged residents. Because many local residents lack dental insurance or access to medical resources, the event attracted a large number of people who made appointments, hoping to improve the community’s oral health through professional medical care.
Dental Mobile Clinic’s First Foray into Brooklyn
Dr. Kenneth Liao, Director of Medical Strategy and Deputy Executive Director of Tzu Chi USA Northeast region, as well as a dentist volunteering with TIMA New York, said that this is the first time in many years that the Medical Association has returned to Brooklyn to hold a free dental clinic.
Dr. Liao said, “This area has many vulnerable people with insufficient medical resources, inadequate insurance, or even no insurance at all. It’s a working-class community, and residents really need dental and ophthalmological services.”
The Dental Mobile Clinic is equipped with two fully equipped dental chairs. Besides providing teeth cleaning and oral examinations, it also offers oral health education, teaching people the correct way to brush their teeth and use dental floss.
Dr. Liao stated, “The most important aspect of dental care is prevention over treatment. We hope to teach everyone how to brush their teeth correctly and demonstrate a better brushing technique.” He pointed out that 25 people had booked appointments this time, with five more on the waiting list. Each patient’s examination and treatment takes approximately 20 to 30 minutes, so the goal is to provide comprehensive and high-quality services.
In the future, in addition to dental care, there are plans to bring ophthalmology, physical therapy, and acupuncture services into the community: “We hope to combine dentistry, ophthalmology, physical therapy, and acupuncture in the future to serve more patients with different needs.”
Dental Team Protects Oral Health
Dentist Tony Peihung Shen said that he usually participates in Tzu Chi free clinics in Flushing and Long Island, and this is his first time serving in Brooklyn.
He said, “Today, our main goal is to understand patients’ needs, provide teeth cleaning and oral examinations to check for cavities. If further treatment is needed, we will also issue referral forms to help patients receive complete treatment at hospitals or dental clinics.”
Shen believes that the greatest advantage of mobile dentistry is that it can bring medical care to those who need it.
Mobile dental clinics are very convenient; they can provide services in different locations and make it easier to reach people in different communities. Sometimes people see the mobile clinic and just walk over to inquire and make appointments, which I think is very meaningful.
Dentist Ting Xue stated that the day’s focus was on preventative dental care, including teeth cleaning, oral examinations, and basic fillings.
“This community really needs more dental checkups, regular maintenance, and preventative care. Some patients require more complex treatments, and we will assist in arranging follow-up referrals.”
She shared that she has been involved with Tzu Chi for about a year and a half, and because her parents are also immigrants, she understands the difficulties immigrant families face regarding insufficient medical resources.
Many people lack insurance and truly need this kind of help. Seeing that I can help uninsured people gives me a great sense of accomplishment.
Youth Volunteers Engage in Service
In addition to dentists, many young volunteers were also on site to provide services.
Youth volunteers assist with registration, guide the consultation process, and collaborate with the dental team to help people complete the free clinic with peace of mind.Photo/Hector Muniente
Joey Suarez, a 21-year-old Tzu Chi volunteer majoring in human biology and minoring in chemistry, is responsible for assisting people with X-rays, providing oral health education, and guiding them through the appointment process.
He said, “I’m very interested in dentistry and hope to help others, including my community. Many people don’t have insurance and don’t know much about oral health, so I want to teach them how to take care of their teeth.”
He said that in the six or seven months since joining Tzu Chi, he has not only learned about dentistry but also how to serve the community.
This is a group dedicated to helping others. Here you can learn about oral hygiene and serve alongside dentists and other volunteers. Everyone is welcome to join us.
Volunteers guide the public on the correct methods of brushing teeth and using dental floss, helping them develop good oral hygiene habits. Photo/Hector Muniente
Vorasava Intratidi (Vora), a Thai volunteer participating in a Tzu Chi activity for the first time, said she learned about Tzu Chi through an ophthalmologist.
“Yesterday I participated in charity service, and today I’m participating in a dental clinic. I enjoy helping others and want to give back to the community.” She was responsible for teaching patients how to properly use dental floss, hoping people would take the correct cleaning methods home.
Preventative Medicine Enters the Community
Alice Wang, general coordinator for TIMA New York, stated that the Brooklyn community has a large Chinese and Hispanic population, and she hopes to bring proper oral health concepts into the community through free dental clinics. She said, “Many people lack dental knowledge and don’t know the potential consequences of neglecting their teeth.”
In addition to teeth cleaning services, she hopes to reduce future fillings and periodontal disease through preventative education. “Tzu Chi aims to alleviate suffering and remove pain. I feel that pain caused by poor oral health is also part of our efforts to help prevent it.”
She was also pleased to see many young volunteers involved in medical services.
This is a wonderful platform for them to learn, have the opportunity to help others, and inspire their own compassion.
Jonathan Chang, a volunteer at the Brooklyn Service Center, stated that the service was not limited to Chinese residents; it also included Hispanic, South Asian, and other ethnic groups.
“We serve not only the Chinese community, but everyone who truly needs it. Today, we brought two dental chairs, and two dentists are also providing services, hoping to care for as many residents as possible.”
Mobile Healthcare Mission Accomplished
To ensure the smooth operation of the free clinic, the dental mobile medical vehicle was driven to Brooklyn early in the morning by volunteer Kevin Chao.
He said he got up before 5 a.m. that day, first going to the vehicle’s parking location to complete a pre-departure check, confirming that the equipment, tires, and vehicle were all in good condition, before driving the approximately 14-foot-tall dental mobile medical vehicle to the service site.
“My job is to safely deliver the vehicle and equipment to the service location. I feel very fulfilled and grateful to have the opportunity to help others.” Having joined Tzu Chi after retirement, he said that whenever he has time, he is willing to dedicate himself to volunteer service, making good use of his commercial driving expertise to deliver medical resources to where they are most needed.
Residents Recieving Assistance Regain Smiles
Many residents who received the service were deeply impressed by the free clinic. Recipient Jiang Sai Hua said her daughter recommended the clinic through a teacher at the Tzu Chi Academy. “The dentist did a great job, very attentive and thorough, with an excellent attitude. They also taught me how to take care of my teeth, which I learned a lot from. I’m really satisfied.”
Recipient Cuiying Tang happily said, “The service was excellent, especially attentive. I’m very satisfied.”
Another recipient, Cuixia Tang, said, “The dentists were all very attentive and responsible. My breath felt so fresh after the cleaning. It was really great, very thoughtful.”
Ana Lissette Resinos from Guatemala said she and her husband were just passing by to have breakfast when they saw the Tzu Chi mobile medical vehicle and stopped to inquire. She shared, “I always thought brushing your teeth required a lot of force and a hard-bristled toothbrush. Today I learned that you need to use a soft toothbrush to gently care for your teeth and avoid damaging your gums.” Since her medical insurance doesn’t cover dental care, she was particularly moved by the free service.
Dental care is incredibly expensive, and many immigrants can't afford it. I'm so grateful to receive this care free of charge today, and I hope there will be more of this service in the community in the future.
Her husband, Rodrigo Muñoz, also stated, “Helping those who truly need it is a wonderful thing. We sincerely thank everyone who is willing to give, and hope that more residents will seize this opportunity to take care of their health.”
Through its first-ever dental clinic in Brooklyn, Tzu Chi Medical Association not only provided immediate medical services but also brought preventative medicine and health education into the community. From professional dentists and youth volunteers to the residents receiving assistance, every act of giving and contributing made healthcare not just about treating illness, but also a force for protecting community health and uniting people for good.
