Robert L. Garabedian, DDS, Fresno, Calif., recently traveled to Yeghegnadzor, Armenia, to help treat more than 80 children in need of dental work.
All the dental work was performed in mid-June at Camp Siranoush, a summer camp for children from throughout Armenia. The camp welcomes orphaned, poverty-stricken, and disadvantaged children from local Armenian towns, providing them with two weeks of lodging, food, dancing, activities and dental work.
Accompanied by his family, another Fresno dentist, Dr. Artashes Avakian, a
dental student from Loma Linda dental school and local Armenian dentists, Dr. Garabedian performed dental examinations, cleanings with fluoride, fillings and extractions on the campers. Den-Mat Corporation provided its Virtuoso Flowable Composite material for the fillings, as well as pulp capping materials.
"We are proud to support Dr. Garabedian in his efforts to help children in
need of dentistry who would otherwise go untreated. His selfless endeavors
make a real difference and Den-Mat will help whenever possible," said Noreen
Freitas, vice president of Den-Mat.
Dr. Garabedian, who has been offering dental care to Camp Siranoush campers
since 1999, stated that the most rewarding part of this experience is "the
love the kids provide us. They are very warm and caring children, even
though they don't have a lot."
Dr. Garabedian and daughter, Kristina, have created ShoeBox Sharing, a
non-profit organization that raises money to provide educational material
and various other necessities to the Armenian Children, including dental
work.
