By Satina Tolman
For The New Era
Every year, countless individuals in underserved communities around the world suffer from untreated dental issues due to a lack of access to care.
In Guatemala, where dental resources are scarce, the Hirsche Smiles Foundation has made a significant impact through dedicated humanitarian mission trips.
My husband, Dr. Nathan Tolman, and I recently returned from our latest Hirsche Smiles mission under the leadership of Kathy Ross. We went with a team of 20 people, including three dentists. In five days, we set up six clinics, treating 240 patients. Although we stayed in a safe, clean hotel, we had no hot water and, at times, no water at all – a minor inconvenience compared to the challenges faced by those we serve.
The Hirsche Smiles Foundation is a non-profit organization committed to providing free dental care to those in need. For years, volunteers have organized trips to Guatemala, where teams of dentists, hygienists, and support staff travel to rural areas with limited or no professional dental care. These dedicated professionals donate their time, expertise, and resources to relieve children and adults suffering from severe dental issues.
My husband has participated in 13 trips to Guatemala since 2007, and I have joined him on 10 of those.
Dr. Tolman shared his motivation: “I had lived in Guatemala and wanted to return to serve the people there. I wanted to go into remote villages to provide care for those who had minimal access.”
Preparing for a mission trip requires extensive planning. We bring all necessary dental equipment, tools, and supplies needed, including portable dental chairs. The journey is demanding, sometimes requiring up to eight hours of travel by bus to a central location. Each morning, we load ourselves and equipment onto trucks and traverse winding, dusty roads to reach remote villages, anywhere from 30 minutes to two hours away.
Upon arrival, we set up temporary clinics in schools, churches, or community centers. Patients line up early, often traveling long distances for care. Due to the severity of infections and decay, most procedures involve extractions. Our primary goal is to alleviate pain and prevent further complications. Many patients have never seen a dentist before, making the relief they experience life-changing.
Beyond immediate care, we focus on education and prevention, teaching proper brushing techniques, and the impact of diet on oral health. Many of our patients have never received oral hygiene education, so even small lessons can make a lasting difference.
Our efforts go beyond just providing dental care. On each trip, every family visiting our clinics receives a hygiene kit. Expectant mothers and hospitals receive much-needed newborn kits. We also deliver backpacks filled with school supplies to children. Additionally, we distribute blankets and knitted hats, as the mountainous regions can be bitterly cold. Many families live in homes made of wooden planks and corrugated metal roofs, with only their cookstove fires for warmth.
Our humanitarian efforts have also extended beyond Guatemala to Peru once and twice to Liberia, where we have provided free dental care and distributed essential supplies.
These missions are possible only through the generosity of donors and volunteers. This most recent trip involved the Interact Club from Sweet Home Junior High. Students Zoie Allison and Christian Romero and their leaders Rose Peda and Larry Horton made the Memory Match Games we took. The Guatemalan children we see have very little and get excited over the small games and toys we bring. It calms their nerves to play a game with me while waiting for their procedure.
Over the years, we have involved more members of our Sweet Home community and beyond. Dr. Ivan Wolthuis and his wife, Rebecca, first joined us in 2016. Other volunteers from Sweet Home, including Larry Horton, Shawna Yunke, Rick and Laura Parrish, Liz Olsen, Sarah Dunkley, Greg and Carolyn Owen, and others from Albany and beyond, who have participated.
We have brought youth volunteers as well, providing them with invaluable service opportunities and life-changing experiences. Our children, Nick, Tatiana, Ben and Andrew Tolman, have each participated at least twice, wanting to return because of their love for the people and experiences. Bringing teenagers on these missions offers them a profound and transformative experience. It exposes them to the realities of global poverty, fostering gratitude and a deeper understanding of service. They see firsthand the impact they can make through kindness and compassion.
Our daughter, Tatiana, has been to Guatemala three times and reflected: “Going to Guatemala has affected my outlook by reminding me that this world is so much bigger than us. Life is so much better than we give it credit for.
“I’ve seen people in Guatemala with almost nothing be so happy and kind because they have family and love, and that’s what they need to get through the hard times.
“Watching my parents serve, and serving with them, made me want to be like them. They inspired me to always be there for others, find ways to serve, and look outside myself.”
Dr. Wolthuis reflected on bringing his children, Sean, Brad, Jenna and Mark: “I have been very grateful to take each one of my kids to Guatemala to experience the joys and values of serving others. It teaches them to be grateful for what we have in the United States and the importance of service.”
These trips are emotionally and physically demanding, yet deeply fulfilling. We leave with a sense of purpose, knowing we have alleviated pain and restored dignity to those in need. While the work is never done, each trip reaffirms the impact of our efforts – not just in the smiles of our patients, but in the gratitude that lingers long after we leave.
Dr. Tolman explained why he continues returning: “I have found a love for the people, and there are many who would live in continued pain if we weren’t there to treat them. Seeing their relief and gratitude is a very rewarding experience.”
What can you do to help? We are always looking for donations of hygiene kits, newborn kits, school kits, blankets, stocking caps, small toys, etc, or money to purchase such supplies. To find out what is included in these kits and how you can get involved, contact Satina Tolman for more information. [email protected] To find out more about the Hirsche Smiles Foundation, visit www.hirschesmiles.com.