One Child, One Orthodontist: the Dominican Society of Orthodontics celebrates 45 years with a solidarity campaign
2 minutes read
- The Minister of Public Health, Dr. Víctor Atallah, took part in the launch event in support of the social campaign “One Child, One Orthodontist”.
Santo Domingo. To mark its 45th anniversary, the Dominican Society of Orthodontics (SDO) officially launched the social campaign “One Child, One Orthodontist”, an initiative that seeks to provide free specialised orthodontic care to vulnerable children.
During the event, the President of the SDO, Dr. Ana Amelia González Ricardo, highlighted the importance of the campaign and the social commitment of the institution she leads:
“This campaign represents much more than a clinical and social effort. It represents our genuine desire to give back to our country everything it has allowed us to be: as professionals, as a society, as citizens and as human beings,” said Dr. González.
As part of the evening’s programme, a video was shown illustrating the purpose and scope of the project, through testimonials and real stories that show the impact it is expected to have on the lives of dozens of children.
For her part, the President of the Dominican College of Dentists (CDO), Dr. Virginia Laureano, invited everyone to join this noble cause, in which every smile transforms lives.
She also congratulated the SDO for restoring function, appearance and confidence to so many children, thus fulfilling the biblical command: “Freely you have received; freely give.”
Dr. Marie Morrobel, a member of the SDO, also explained the scope, objectives and impact of the campaign.
“This work is only just beginning, but we are sure its impact will be lasting. In a second phase, we plan to roll out the campaign in the North, and we are already open to continuing to grow and forming new partnerships with foundations, institutions, societies and professionals who share our vision,” said Dr. Morrobel.
The first phase of “One Child, One Orthodontist” will be implemented at the Escuela Hogar Doña Chucha in Santo Domingo. All treatments will be carried out by SDO member orthodontists, who will donate their time, knowledge and resources free of charge.
The project, modelled on a similar programme in Chile, will have the support of more than 30 volunteers and will be coordinated with nonprofit foundations working for children’s wellbeing.
The campaign is led by Dr. Marie Morrobel and Dr. Ana Amelia González, together with Dr. Pavel Rodríguez, who head the social committee responsible for carrying out the project. It also has the ongoing support of Colgate-Palmolive (Dominican Republic) Inc. as part of its social responsibility programme “Bright Smiles, Bright Futures”, to which the SDO expressed its thanks for the commitment shown to this cause.
What is the SDO?
It is a nonprofit scientific organisation founded in 1979 that brings together dentists specialising in orthodontics in the Dominican Republic. Its main mission is to promote the ethical and professional development of orthodontics in the country.
The SDO is an affiliate of the Dominican College of Dentists and represents the World Federation of Orthodontists (WFO) and the Latin American Orthodontic Association (ALADO) in the country.