Benefits of taking child on a humanitarian trip

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Benefits of taking child on a humanitarian trip

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There are so many blessings with having a child and you experience a humanitarian trip where you either work locally or in another country and you spend time together taking care of other people that are less fortunate. I have taken several trips with my daughter, Alissa, who got very interested in medicine and is now in medical school. Because she came with me to Guatemala and we take care of people, we go in a group of 90 people, adults, a lot of helpers, nurses, doctors, dentists, and we spend a week working in facilities that are very MASH-like, where we set up the best we can, we work night and day to take care of people, seal their teeth, do fillings, teach them how to brush and floss before they come into the dental clinic, which is my big and important contribution; that they all take a toothbrush, floss, and know how to at least prevent future decay in their mouth. And the child really can see first-hand and learn from other people that are there that we're a fortunate parent, that we have things that we can give to others. And it helps change their lives. Alissa decided to go to medical school after one of these trips, which really helped her feel how valuable her help was. She did a lot of translation because she was in high school, so she translated from the patient to the doctors in Spanish, and it made a very, very beautiful change in her. And it's affected her life, and it's helped all the people in Guatemala that couldn't communicate with their doctor.

View Gina Gonzalez, DDS's video on Benefits of taking child on a humanitarian trip...

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Gina Gonzalez, DDS

Dentist

Dr. Gina Gonzalez, DDS has been interested in dental care most of her life. She started working as a dental assistant in high school.  After graduating, she pursued her career by attending the University of Southern California from which she earned a Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene in 1982.  She was involved in creating new standards for dental hygiene in Spain where she also developed a dental hygiene school.

Dr. Gina Gonzalez earned her doctorate of dental surgery from the USC School of Dentistry in 1991.  As a lifelong learner, Dr. Gonzalez continues to study preventive and esthetic dentistry at renowned educational institutions all over the United States.  Her certifications include CEREC technology and Invisalign.  In addition to providing superb dental services to patients in her office, she dedicates her knowledge and skill to many philanthropic projects in the community and worldwide.  Annually, she is involved in a dental mission to Guatemala in which she provides dental care to people who would go without it otherwise.  She also regularly serves the elderly in Southern California through the Oral Eldercare Program. Dr. Gina Gonzalez is part of the USC School of Dentistry Board of Directors and is a member of the American Dental Association and the California Dental Association.   

In her leisure time, she enjoys Salsa dancing, participating in the art of Krav Maga and entertaining her two wonderful daughters.

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