In 1992, Dr. Greg Herd of San Clemente, California, visited Fiji for the first time. He was captivated by the beautiful turquoise waters and white sandy beaches, and quickly developed a deep respect for the culture and history of the area. After witnessing a growing number of Fijians suffering from debilitating dental conditions, Dr. Herd partnered with other like-minded philanthropists and health care providers to form the Fiji Dental & Medical Foundation (FDMF) in 2012. Working alongside the country’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services as part of the “Wellness for Fiji” program, FDMF’s mission was simple: prevent dental decay and disease, provide wellness resources and supplies to the area, and restore the oral health of individuals in need of treatment through examinations, cancer screenings, extractions, restorations and removable partial dentures.

The organization was established after the chief of the Mamanuca Islands gave his blessing for dental care to be given on Malolo Island in the village of Solevu. FDMF converted an existing village community center into a 2,100-square-foot clinic, making do with their extremely limited budget. Lawn chairs zip-tied to cinder blocks line the main floor, while compressed air from scuba tanks donated by a nearby dive shop powers the portable dental units used by the team. There are six operatory chairs inside and two outside on the patio.

Over the past year, 28 volunteers have registered to work with FDMF, including two nurses, four general dentists, two pedodontists, two oral surgeons and four dental assistants. Each year, the team arrives about a week in advance to set up the clinic, shop for supplies, screen children and offer services to resort workers located on the outer islands. Panga boats shuttle the volunteers back and forth between Namotu Island and the Mamanuca Islands, where the clinic is stationed.

When patients arrive at the clinic, their height, weight, heart rate, temperature and blood pressure are recorded. Tests for hemoglobin, oxygen saturation, blood glucose, diabetes and vision are also administered before the patients are evaluated by a dentist. All of the information is reported to Fiji’s Ministry of Health and Medical Services, under which FDMF operates. After a person has been medically examined, Dr. Herd conducts an oral exam and dental screening. Those with extractions needed in the anterior region of the mouth are provided custom-made removable partial dentures when possible — a tremendous benefit for resort hospitality workers who interact with guests.

In 2018, the clinic treated 486 patients, providing over 400 extractions, 200 fillings and 50 removable partial appliances. In total, 972 people went through medical, dental and vision screenings, including 170 adolescents examined by Dr. Greg Moegling, a volunteer dentist and board member of FDMF.  The staff gives priority to those with missing and decayed anterior teeth because many patients are employed in the hospitality industry. Data collected over the past six years has revealed positive changes in the oral health of local children who had visited the clinic.

Combining his passions for ocean sports, health, wellness and dentistry, Will Schmidt, RDA, decided to join forces with FDMF this past year. He also brought the organization to the attention of his employer, Glidewell Dental. As a volunteer, Will arrived in Fiji with an array of clinical supplies donated from Glidewell and immediately got to work.

Camouflage^® NanoHybrid Composite (Glidewell Direct; Irvine, Calif.) donated by Glidewell proved valuable in Fiji’s tough weather conditions, which Dr. Herd described as 90-degree temperatures matched with 90 percent humidity. The foundation also used general dental supplies donated by the company to treat patients.

Every year, Dr. Herd, Dr. Moegling and Mark Brown — who currently constitute the three-member board of the FDMF — and a growing number of volunteers like Will travel back to Fiji to provide treatment to those who call the area home. Over the years, they’ve built a close-knit camaraderie with one another and with the patients they serve. Together, they’ve worked to change people’s lives by providing solutions that allow Fijians improved job opportunities and healthier smiles. While the work can be demanding, the group is proud of what it has accomplished and looks forward to returning to Fiji each year.