The Letter

An open letter to the Dental Profession and Industry in Newfoundland and Labrador

Dear Colleague in Dentistry,

Every so often something comes along that makes us stop in our tracks and wonder what is going on? Often we perceive this as an inconvenience or even a nuisance. However the way that things go, in retrospect, we sometimes realize that there was a message behind the inconvenience. Maybe it was the time we had taken to reflect on an issue, or a chance to modify our approach or response to something.

Well guess what, the people of Haiti have had one of those moments, only it’s not an inconvenience or a nuisance, it’s a life threatening, life altering event of enormous proportions. I sit in front of the television like a moose caught in the headlights, compelled to watch the population of a country denied any kind of human dignity.

It is not necessary for me to recount stories, it is all too apparent to us all. Clearly the needs are beyond our imagination. It appears to me that there is little left, they didn’t have much to start with but my goodness what they may have had, has been so cruelly taken away from them.

I note that our Premier has taken the initiative to donate one million dollars on our behalf to Haiti; his comment was that he felt Newfoundlanders and Labradorians would want to do this. A bold move by him, however we do know that our Province is well recognized for its philanthropy in the past, and would heartily support him. Well done Mr. Williams.

In addition many of you will have donated individually and collectively through your churches and service groups for example. I hear from the news that two charitable workers from Glover town just raised $14,000 on a weekend!

So I was thinking this morning as I listened to some news on the radio, that one of the biggest needs the people of Haiti have, is health care. I believe its’ in the top three needs, along with respectable work and education.

We in dentistry have a very clear understanding of our place in health care, and also that we may have the opportunity to assist a population who are quite literally absolutely destitute.

We know that our profession is a caring one, and furthermore we are self determined, we do largely as we see fit, we solve problems in many ways. Our skills are varied and highly developed, we see little problems and follow our good judgment and values and indeed are respected most highly in our communities.

Anyway, as I was thinking, maybe this turn of events in Haiti might in fact be one of these opportunities for us to step up to the plate. This may be a challenge for us to make a difference in some significant way to assist a country so clearly in need. The primary relief work will be carried out by the UN, the Canadian Military and such. However, when the dust settles the ongoing delivery of medical care will be real and urgent.

I believe that this is a challenge that should not be missed; I feel from my discussions with those in the profession and industry around us, that we have a window to develop a plan to assist and make a difference.

I would propose that we endeavour to set up (equip but not staff) a dental clinic in Haiti.

Wow! This is heady stuff, but when we think about it, it is within our reach, it can be achieved, and we have already have lots of advantage.

Firstly we have the skill, the energy and the wherewithal to do it. Secondly the Government of Canada has stated that they will match contributions, I like that a lot, but even more is the fact that contributions are tax deductible. Now we are talking.

Each and every one of us has bits and pieces of equipment that we seldom use. Forceps we don’t like, spare spatulas, glass slabs, grinders, old hand tools and so on. I bet we can we can pool a whole pile of hidden treasures!

Thirdly we also have great access to people, they all come for dental care and at this time every one of us wants to help. We need two things. Firstly, people who want to help, and secondly people who are prepared to ask. For example delivering a dental clinic may be an intimidating logistic however we treat people in shipping, we have a military wing of dentists, and these folks are our friends. Suddenly the logistics become feasible and less intimidating.

Can I suggest that we might as a group consider setting up a Haiti Relief Support Committee, I would be pleased to either spearhead this or serve in some capacity.

We already have a seed donation of three thousand bucks, (which in real terms means six), if we can purchase equipment at reduced cost……... this can start the journey. We can parlay that into smiles on shining faces.

I would be interested to hear from anyone who feels that they can assist in any way, such that we can form a team to make this happen. I can be contacted at

709 726 1008 (home)

709 726 1662 (office)

Or preferably by email (because we all have to work) s.gillies@nl.rogers.com

Yours in Dentistry

Stewart Gillies.