The MDSP successfully delivered a series of free community dental care services to the people of Chuuk State, Federated States of Micronesia during the week of June 25 – 29, 2012. The MDSP Chuuk Team 2012 comprising of dentists, dental assistants, student translators, technicians, and a local support team performed 512 dental procedures for 168 patients most of whom were children and mothers, and implemented a culturally appropriate dental care educational program for the patients. These services occurred in three villages on the main island of Weno as well as the island of Udot.
This video shows our clinic on the island of Udot in Chuuk State including the educational program that we had for children and their mothers. Enjoy it.
Dental Team
Dr. Wes Yemoto, DDS
Dr. Wes Yemoto returns to Micronesia after serving on the inaugural MDSP Team 2008. He brings a wealth of experience to the team having served on various international philanthropic trips to help impoverished children in South America, Middle East, and other locations. Dr. Wes has been providing his patients exceptional dental care for almost 30 years. Since graduating from Georgetown University School of Dentistry with a doctorate in dental surgery, Dr. Yemoto has remained committed to continuing his education. Embracing new techniques and new technologies, Dr. Yemoto ensures his patients receive fantastic dental care, no matter what their needs. >>more info
Dr. Chad Ellis, DDS
Dr. Ellis practices dentistry in Utah where he is recognized for his talents in all aspects of general and cosmetic dentistry. He returns to Chuuk, Micronesia having served on an LDS mission there over 20 years ago. He has participated in humanitarian dental projects in Peru, Mexico, and the Dominican Republic. He is also an annual volunteer of the Smiles for Life Foundation. The Smiles for Life Foundation is the children’s charity organization of the Crown Council. Each year over a four-month period, Crown Council dentists participating in the Smiles for Life campaign offer teeth whitening at less than their normal fee and donate 100% of the cost to children’s charities across the United States and Canada. Since 1998 the Smiles for Life Foundation has raised more than 25 million dollars for children. Dr Ellis is a member of the American Academy of Cosmetic Dentistry, Crown Council, American Dental Association, Academy of General Dentists, Utah Dental Association, Idaho State Dental Association, Chicago Dental Society, and the Academy of LDS Dentists. >> more info
Dr. William Anderson, DDS
Dr. William Anderson has been in private practice in Ben Lomond, CA since 1976. He received his doctor of dental surgery diploma from the University of California, San Francisco and his bachelors degree from University of California, Berkeley. Bill has experiences serving in global humanitarian efforts in dentistry. He completed eight trips with the Los Medicos Voladores (Flying Doctors) to provide dental care in rural communities in Mexico. In 2000, he received an Official Commendation from the Municipality of Ensenada, Mexico for the volunteer work performed in the country. He established a dental clinic in Canyon Buena Vista in Baja, Mexico and was featured on American Public Broadcasting Service television for his work with the Flying Doctors. >>more info
Dr. Barry Staley, DDS
Clinic Director
Barry is the founder of the Micronesia Dental Support Project. After completing studies at University of California, Santa Barbara, Northwestern University Dental School, and Boston University Graduate School of Dentistry, Dr. Staley ran a successful practice for over 20 years before retiring in the 80’s. While in practice he served as President of the Monterey Bay Dental Society and the Western Society of Periodontology. After retiring from his private practice he served in various leadership roles in nonprofit organizations including; program director of the Children’s School Based Dental Clinic at Dientes, Director of the Dental Program at the California Health Trust, and co-director of the Veterinary Dental Institute. He oversees all recruitment and preparation of the dental team. During clinic days, he directs all aspect of patient care, movements, and liaison with the dental team and the support team.
Dental Assistants
Denise Dix, RDA
Denise is a dental assistant in Dr. Bill Anderson’s private practice in California. She has served on a number of global humanitarian outreach efforts. She brings a wealth of experience in volunteer services.
Lynette Ellis
Lynette serves as the dental assistant for her husband Dr. Chad Ellis. She has served as the dental assistant for Dr. Ellis on a number of their humanitarian efforts in the Dominican Republic. Lynette has a special place in her heart for Chuuk as she has heard so much about it from Dr. Ellis who served in his teenage years as a missionary of the LDS Church.
Anna J. Espe
Dental Assistant
Anna, originally from Colorado, has recently completed dual Master’s degrees in
Physician Assistant and Public Health from Arcadia University in Philadelphia. She has
joined with the Jesuit Volunteers in Chuuk for a month during her time between
studies and job placements. Anna is honored and excited to spend time supporting the
health needs of Chuuk State.
Support Crew
Paul Smith
Chief Technician
Paul served as the technical guru on the first MDSP trip in 2008 and brings a lot of experience managing all the logistical and technical aspect of the clinics. Paul is a plumber by trade in Kansas City who is very skilled in repairs and other important technical and logistical needs of the MDSP. He is in charge of all technical setup and breakdown of each clinic each day and ensuring that all supplies are transported, set up, and tested in working order.
Joel Baker
Tech Support
Joel is a firefighter / paramedic in the Kansas City Fire Department who will serve on the Support Crew as Paul’s assistant. Having served in the United States Army and veteran of the war in the Middle East, Joel brings a level experience in both humanitarian and technical expertise that will be useful to the clinic. He is an avid outdoors enthusiast and a certified SCUBA diver who will put his adventure to the test in the tropics.
Peter Katzfey
Team Support
Originally from Wisconsin, Peter joined the US Army in 1994 and has served in numerous jobs from Cook to Public Affairs Officer. Peter’s most recent overseas duty was as a Route Clearance Company Commander in Afghanistan supervising 200 combat engineers who’s mission was to neutralize roadside bombs over thousands of kilometers of roads and highways. After volunteering with MDSP 2012, Peter will report to his new assignment in Fort Polk, Louisiana. Peter holds a MS in Engineering Management.
Community Educators
Linda Anderson, Ph.D.
Patient Care & Community Educator
Linda joins the MDSP Support Crew to be in charge of patient care and community health education. When she is not involved in the MDSP projects, Dr. Anderson will be helping out with other community education.
Ben Perdue
Ben has been serving as a Peace Corps Volunteer in Chuuk since September, 2010. He primarily teaches elementary school English and math on Satowan, a small remote island in the Mortlocks region of Chuuk State. In addition to teaching, he works closely with local government and church officials on various community development projects in the outer islands. For the past two summers, he has organized “Camp Boys to Men”—a program focusing on health education, study skills, and “healthy relationships” for young men in the Mortlocks. Ben will be helping the MDSP team with translation and local community networking.
Student Translators
Paige Katzfey
Coordinator, Student Translators
Paige is a Jesuit Volunteer who teaches at Saramen Chuuk Academy in Chuuk. Her main task is to select the student translators from either Xavier High School or Saramen Chuuk Academy. During the clinics, Paige will help with other general duties with the high school student translators to provide instructions on proper dental care to the children and mothers as they wait for their turn at the clinic.
Five high school students will be selected from Xavier High School and/or Saramen Chuuk Academy to serve as translators and to help the Support Team with other aspect of the project. These student translators will each receive a $75 scholarship or cash at the end of the project. Their names, photos, and bios will be available as soon as they have been named.
Local Partners
Vidalino Raatior
Project Manager & Local Liaison
Vid was born and raised in the outer islands of Chuuk, Micronesia and completed undergraduate and graduate studies in Guam and the U.S. Mainland. Having been a teacher, administrator, and community leader in Chuuk, Vid coordinates all of MDSP’s partnerships with the state and national government, the local health assistants, local leadership, and the student teams.
Rufina Defang
Xavier High School, Chuuk
Rufina is the Purchasing Officer at Xavier High School in Chuuk, Micronesia. A graduate of Xavier High School and a native Chuukese, Rufina is in charge of managing the clinic supplies and other logistical arrangements.
Sr. Erencia Saipweirik, RSM
Saramen Chuuk Academy
Eren is a teacher at Saramen Chuuk Academy on Weno, Chuuk who is in charge of the Outer Island Scholars Program in partnership with the Outer Islands Partnership. She is responsible for coordinating the selection of the student translators comprising of outer islanders at Xavier High School and Saramen Chuuk Academy.
Dr. Felix Yomai
Chuuk State Hospital
Dr. Yomai is a physician at the Chuuk State Hospital. Originally from the outer islands of Yap with roots on Polowat, Dr. Yomai is a valuable member of our local team as the main liaison for the MDSP at the Department of Health Services in the Chuuk State government. His understanding of the outer islanders medical needs will prove valuable for planning and services we provide. Dr. Yomai may be accompanying the team to Onoun to provide other needed medical services.
Floren Akkin
Principal, Weipat High School, Onoun Island
Floren is the principal of Weipat High School located on the island of Onoun where the MDSP Team 2012 will be setting up its free dental clinics. The high school serves all the outer islands in the Northwest region of Chuuk, Micronesia. He is responsible for all local coordination on Onoun for housing, clinic sites, cross-cultural events, and other needs.
