BEDFORD — While many Americans get their teeth cleaned like clockwork twice a year, there are people half a world away without any access to dental services.

One local dentist is part of a group that is trying to change that, one week at a time.

Dr. Lawrence Puccini and his wife, Dr. Susan Roberge, spent a week in February in Peronia, Guatemala, in a new dental clinic built by Open Wide, an organization that pairs experienced U.S. dentists with the clients that need them the most.
Puccini said Open Wide is the brain child of Spear Education in Scottsdale, Ariz., which provides continuing education for the dental profession.

Last June, at Spear's Faculty Club Summit, which Puccini is a part of, the idea of a clinic was presented. Locals in the small suburb of Guatemala City donated the land, building and construction materials, while dentists in the U.S. got busy with the rest.

“We, as an organization in America, got dental supply companies to build the inside,” said Puccini, which included donating the chairs, equipment and cabinetry.

By December, the clinic was up and running.

“It went from an idea to reality very quickly,” Puccini said.

According to its website, the dentists that volunteer with Open Wide have a “mission to make a difference in the developing world.”
Dentists can make a donation of $1,000, spend a week working at a clinic, or a combination of both.

“I did both,” Puccini said. “I've always wanted to go on trips like this.”

Puccini said he is happy to be able to give back.

“Dentists are in a really unique position because they can help people get access to dental care who don't have access,” he said.

Puccini worked at the clinic in its fifth week of operation, and had a local dentist on site, helping with translation.

Puccini, with assistance from Roberge, performed services similar to what he does in the U.S. — x-rays, diagnosis, extractions and basic restorative work.

“A lot of the people there just needed instruction in oral hygiene and dental care,” said Puccini.

Working in a country clouded by poverty and a weak infrastructure, where 60 percent of the population has no running water, was an eye-opening experience for Puccini.

“We have need here, but it was just nice to be able to help where there is just nothing,” he said.

The bonus for Puccini is that his brother has lived in Guatemala for 19 years, and had never had a chance to visit him. He was able to choose a week to work at the clinic in time to attend his nephew's wedding.

“I hadn't seen my brother in a long time,” he said.

While Puccini said he'd wanted to find a way to give back to a community, working with Open Wide gave him a way to make it happen.

“This just came together at the right time and made it easier for me to do,” he said.