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Issues & People

Volunteering Dentistry: Treating Syrian Refugees in Jordan

Dr. Asraa El-Darahali, dentist in Bedford, Nova Scotia, spoke with Dr. John O’Keefe about her experience treating Syrian refugees in a Jordanian refugee camp.

Highlights

As part of an international group of health professionals through the Syrian-American Medical Society, Dr. El-Darahali flew to the largest Syrian refugee camp (>80,000 refugees) in Jordan.

A dental clinic has been established by Syrian dentists who themselves are refugees in the camp and much of the dental need revolves around emergency care as survival is of the utmost importance for the refugees living in the camp. As a result, basic oral care has been less emphasized.

In Halifax, Dr. El-Darahali has treated several Syrian refugee families in her practice. Many of these individuals have been suffering chronic pain due to abscessed teeth or non-restorable teeth. As a result, the treatment rendered, to date, has consisted of mostly extractions. The interim federal health care plan helps to cover the cost of care for these patients. Basic extractions are covered; however, there are many other services that are not covered by this plan. Fortunately, many dentists in the community have generously provided free dental care for these patients.

Because of the overwhelming need for dental care in this population, a small group of dentists are collaborating with Dalhousie University and various dental supply companies to bridge the gap between the services that are covered by the federal health plan and those that are not. In this way, the dental providers can continue to provide essential treatment and help the Syrian refugees become better integrated and contributing members in our communities.

Watch the full video interview

 

Dr. Asraa El-Darahali, B.Sc., D.D.S.

Dr.  Asraa El-Darahali graduated from Dalhousie Dentistry in 2013. Following her graduation, she completed a one-year pediatric general practice residency at the IWK Children’s Hospital. She is an active member of the community and has led many local fundraisers. In November, Asraa and her sister Asile traveled to the world’s largest Syrian refugee camp to provide much needed dental care. She is currently treating many refugees in her Halifax office. Through a collaborative team effort,  Asraa is working towards implementing a program to help alleviate the gap in dental care.

2 Comments

  1. Edmond R Bartnett September 13, 2018

    Hello…
    I am a semi retired experienced volunteer
    Dentist interested in helping refugees and
    poor people of Syria … without paying an arm
    and leg to do so.
    Please inform. … Ed Bartnett DDS

    Reply
  2. Edmond R Bartnett September 13, 2018

    Volunteer DDS available for Syria

    Reply

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