In and around the City of Lipa, Batangas province of the Philippines, about 80 kilometers south of Manila, many of the 387,392 residents are too poor to afford dental care. Of course, poor dental health aggravates or leads to other health problems.
Led by Richmond Sunrise Rotary Club member Dentist Dr. Danilo Salcedo and a team of several club members who also work in the health services professions, joined professional dental workers from Caring Hearts Dentistry from Canada and dental care providers in the Philippines on a dental care mission in February 2026. Members of the Rotary Club of Lipa assisted in administering the clinic.
With funding from Richmond Sunrise Rotary of $5,000 and a District Grant from The Rotary Foundation of $2,500 the dental mission this year treated over 2,000 patients, many children who had never had any dental services performed previously as well as seniors and adults, unable to afford dental services. Rotary World Help shipped equipment and supplies from this area to Lipa. Repairs were also made to needed dental equipment repairs or replacement.
The team provided regular dentistry, including cleaning, fillings, extractions plus general education on dental hygiene and distribution of toothbrushes, toothpaste etc,
The impact of this mission beyond the dental care was the education for children who learned at an early age ways they can maintain healthy oral hygiene, and being supplied with kits that include toothpaste, toothbrushes and mouthwash. The 200 children treated also received food, clothing and toys.
Thousands of patients impoverished village and city communities have received basic and medium-level dentistry in recent years over several years from Caring Hearts Dentistry, Richmond Sunrise) Rotary and several Rotary clubs in the Philippines.
