Members of SEAL Team 5 share some of their most memorable moments from their 10-day trip to Paraguay last July.

Laura Dailey, Vice President, Revenue Management

“I assisted Dr. Gordy with extracting a posterior tooth on a woman who was fearful of losing a long bridge, since she didn’t know whether or not the tooth was an abutment. When Dr. Gonzalez gently explained in Spanish that it was not part of the bridge, she was very happy. We proceeded with the extraction and she hugged us both with appreciation when we finished. She returned later with her camera and took photos of and with the SEAL Team members. The next day, she showed up at our next venue and gave us the photos, with the SFE Foundation logo on them”

Dr. Edgardo “Gordy” Gonzalez, Lead Dentist in San Antonio & PC President for Austin

“CEO Steve Bilt and Smiles for Everyone Foundation International Liaison Norm Schulz kept saying our last two days in Paraguay would be ‘special’. That time arrived when we toured the impoverished community surrounding the city’s landfill [garbage dump]. This is where Asunción’s poorest residents live and where we provided clinical services during our last two days. But this time became much more for me than just another place to provide dental care to those in need.

“On my first trip to Paraguay in 2011, I met a beautiful little girl named Raquel who had been ‘found at the garbage dump’. The pastor in charge of a nutrition center where we provided dental services had placed Raquel with a family. When Steve heard Raquel’s story, he asked me to provide her dental exam.

“I treated her for an infected molar and after we finished the surgery, she hugged and thanked me. On my return trip last July, when I learned that this is the landfill where beautiful little Raquel had been abandoned, the memory broke my heart all over again.”

Jody Ritson, Dental Assistant, Portland, OR

“Everyone in our group was special, but if I had to pick one person, that would have to be Steve Bilt. He helped me stay focused and on task. His question and answer meetings were meaningful. I learned so much about myself and others!”

Dr. Tim Herman, Lead Dentist, Roseville, CA-Coloma Way & PC President, A+ Dental Care

“Here are two of my unforgettable moments: We were running behind and this teenage girl had a big black cavity on one of her upper central incisors, an opaque white filling on the other upper central incisor and an abscessed lower molar. I was directed to remove only the abscessed tooth because we were running out of time. I obliged, but I fixed the big cavity, replaced the opaque white filling and fixed another cavity on that tooth as well. When I showed the patient her teeth, she had a big ‘numb’ smile with wide eyes. After I removed the abscessed tooth, the patient stood up and gave me a terrific hug and smile.

“Another memory was when I realized that the little girl beautifully playing the makeshift violin with the Landfill Harmonic Orchestra was the same girl from whom I had just extracted a tooth. Both she and the orchestra were truly unbelievable.”

Jackie Rocamora, Registered Dental Hygienist, Norwalk, CA

“I was about to finish my last patient when a group of kids lifted the tent and stuck their heads in to talk to me. Quietly, they asked if I could clean their teeth. I told them yes, but they needed to sign in first. They answered, ‘They are not taking more patients.’ I looked at the waiting area, and there was a group of kids and adults who were not going to be treated because it was time for us to pack and go. My heart shattered and I couldn’t hold back my tears.

“I hope our hard work shows the government of Paraguay there is a great need to be addressed. Even with people from the U.S. and Brazil helping these communities, it’s not nearly enough. As long as we are able to help the people of Paraguay to continue to fix the problem, then I know my work will have a long-lasting effect.”

Jeana Janik, Office Manager, Sandusky, OH

“My favorite is the last patient on the last day. The rest of the Team was packing up because we needed to leave to catch our plane. When our patient was seated, Dr. Siv [Dr. Siavash Eftekhari, Oral Surgeon, Grapevine, TX] asked her what was hurting and she said ‘everything.’ Instead of ‘rushing,’ he took care of her every need. I appreciated the way he treated every patient as if he were in his own practice and took time to make them laugh and feel comfortable.”

Dr. Wilner Loiseau, Lead Dentist & Periodontist, Plano, TX

“One of the local doctors who helped me really stood out. She said her dream was to be able to help her people this way and she signed up to lead the clinical side of the SFEF International Outpost in Paraguay to help ensure many ongoing future dental events take place. I didn’t think I was doing anything different, but she was very impressed by my skill set. She literally took it a step further and wanted to offer more. Her motivation was inspiring.”

Carlos Rojas, Executive Office Manager, Palm Harbor, FL

“Paraguayans are proud people. One lady had only one tooth left. She really wanted to save her tooth, even though she knew it might have to go. She came prepared in the event she had to lose her tooth. After the exam, the doctor told her the tooth had cavities and that it could be extracted that day.

“I explained to the doctor that she wanted to save the tooth. The doctor was puzzled, even after I explained it a few times. I then explained she had an overdenture that fit right over that single tooth, and if possible she would like to have the tooth filled. This was a funny, touching and bonding experience. We salvaged the tooth and made her happy and whole again.”

Angie Sotelo, Market Specialty Manager, San Antonio, TX

“I’ll always remember the last patient of the week. She was an eight-year-old girl, and Dr. Loiseau needed to extract two baby teeth and a premolar due to severe decay. She was visibly scared and nervous, so we comforted her and Dr. Loiseau was very patient with her, as he is with all patients. It took longer than normal because we took pauses to ensure she was comfortable. This little one was so brave.

“When we finished, I asked her if she was okay. She gave me the biggest hug and wouldn’t let me go. I became overwhelmed by emotion and hugged her as long as she needed. When I felt her little numb mouth trying to give me kisses, I lost it. With tears streaming down my face, I held this precious girl and realized how much she and all the patients gave to ME. I was overcome because I was accepting the gratitude that patient after patient expressed. This child forced me to stop, embrace and take in what was being given back to me. My heart overflowed in that moment.”

One Response

  1. Good Morning ,
    My name is Dr. Rafael Caniza, I am a practicing dentist in Nyack, NY. Also, I am from Paraguay! It brings me great joy to see efforts such as this happening there. I would love to participate in your efforts in Paraguay! Would you let me know how I can become involved?

Philippines

Rache Macaranas

Administrator

Col. Percy Macaranas

Administrator

Operating from two locations (Mindanao and Luzon), the Philippines team bring dental care to those most in need, including PDLs (Persons Deprived of Liberty) in city jails and remote tribes like T’boli tribe that often require seven hours or more of travel over rough roads to reach them.

Laos

Dr. Sonexay Kounlavong

Lead Dentist

Good Begin

Administrator

Though they faced economic challenges and massive regional flooding in 2024, the Laos team worked hard to serve their community, including students attending a monastary. This outpost was organically developed by the Thai team, and the two regularly do outreach together.

Rwanda

Dr. Jesse Wong

Lead Dentist

Launched in January 2025, our newest outpost is led by Dr. Jesse Wong, a Canadian dentist who has lived in Rwanda for 10+ years.

With just two dentists for every 100,000 people in the country, the team is gearing up to treat over 4,000 people in their first year of operation, meeting serious needs in the region, where tooth decay in up to 50% of children is due to high levels of fluoride in the drinking water.

Thailand

Dr. Wata Siyootagrai

Lead Dentist

Narissara (Oh) Jearajetchai

Administrator

Working tirelessly to build partnerships and expand operations, our Thailand outpost has served schools, communities and remote tribes.

In 2024, they have placed their focus to serving refugees from Myanmar, the homeless, children in orphanages, and sex workers—those who have the least access to dental care.

Ghana

Dr. Tinuola Esther Mark

Lead Dentist

Kwesi Oduro-Korankye

Administrator

Ghana won the 2024 Outpost of the Year Award for its outstanding work. By partnering with the Ghana Health Service, this outpost has recruited and assigned dentists to each district of the Ashanti region, ensuring comprehensive care.

Paraguay

Judah Mooney

Director, Diaconia

Pablo Ortiz

Administrator

Dr. Andrea Lopez

Lead Dentist

Paraguay was our first outpost, and began with one doctor serving once a month.


Today, the Paraguay team operates a mobile clinic, partners with dentists at their clinics, and runs a program at Guternburg School.

Central America

Dr. Reyes

Lead Administrator

A dedicated team of volunteer dentists provide much-needed care to communities in need. This year, the outpost partnered with a youth organization, offering services and education to children and adolescents who otherwise don’t have access to dental care.

Mexico

Jesus Perez

Director

Using innovative strategies and technology to increase efficiency and overcome barriers, the Mexico outpost is connected with key universities in the area to collaborate with dental school students.



The team also opened a Smiles Dental Consultation Room for patients who need follow-up from the larger outreaches.

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