Medical Mission
7to7 Dental Orthodontist Provides Much Needed Care
in the Dominican Republic
By Amy Morgan
Giving back is in the DNA of 7to7 Dental & Orthodontics. Not only has the practice devoted its 34 doctors and 250 staff members to provide an entire day of no-cost dental care to hundreds of patients for the past 12 years, Co-Owners Tiffany Winburn, D.M.D., and Justin Coke actively encourage doctors and staff in their philanthropic efforts. “We love what we do and love helping people,” Justin said.
Recently 7to7 Dental’s chief orthodontist, Michael Roberts, D.D.S., took a week to lead a team of 40 medical and dental colleagues and students, as they provided much needed health care to 450 individuals in the Dominican Republic. The mission trip is organized by the Christian Medical and Dental Association, where none other than Dr. Roberts’ wife, Mitzi, serves as the organization’s Area Director.
Once they arrive in the remote area, the team sets up medical and dental rooms in a host church or school where they treat each patient’s most pressing concern. The dental room includes eight chairs – two for cleanings, three for extractions and three for fillings. What’s so amazing is that the team packs in all the equipment and supplies – including reusable, portable dental chairs made of corrugated plastic that, when assembled, are strong enough to hold up to a 400-lb person! The suction machine, low-speed hand drill and other equipment all fit in what look like carry-on suitcases. The CMDA group even brings a portable X-ray machine that Mitzi described as looking like a gun from a science fiction movie.
“All we need is a power source, and we are good to go!” she said. If something overheats or malfunctions, Dr. Roberts steps up to fix it. He also works behind the scenes to solicit donations of equipment and supplies.
“Every dollar that comes into the ministry is a sacred dollar, and we feel very responsible to be a good steward of it,” Mitzi said.
"Serving is not synonymous with easy,” Dr. Roberts said. “It can be hard and messy, with needs that far exceed the limited resources that we have. But God has given me so much more than I deserve, so how can I not serve others in this way. Healthcare is the universal currency. It has value in every country and every culture."
While Dr. Roberts physically performs procedures and oversees students, his strength is in oversight. He realized early on that ministry people are not very efficient at organizing dental instruments. He said, “let me own that.” “He’s supporting me and the Lord in the way he serves,” Mitzi said.
“It does not matter that we are using portable equipment on plastic chairs. He holds himself and others to the exact same meticulous standards as if we were in a fixed facility clinic,” Mitzi said. “There are no corners cut. The quality of care is as high as it would be at a 7to7 Clinic.”
Dr. Roberts’ other superpower is making patients feel comfortable. It’s the first dental visit for most of the children, and the Dominican diet heavily reliant on fruit and sugary juice can cause significant tooth damage. He rewards good chair behavior with stickers and balloon animals – Dr. Roberts is quite adept at making balloon swords, fitting as he served for decades in the U.S. Army.
No-cost health care is scarce in the underserved areas they visit. Mitzi recounts how an elderly couple showed their appreciation after their treatments with a gift of a live chicken! “That was really showing a piece of their hearts,” she said.
Dr. Roberts is not the only 7to7 Dental employee who has gone on the Dominican trip. He took his dental assistant two years in a row and a dentist colleague from the Cibolo office also has been part of the group.
“I appreciate that 7to7 Dental supports him and allows him to recruit other staff members,” Mitzi added. “It really reflects well on the company. He does it out of the joy of it.”
