This initiative is part of the Codelco El Teniente Division Volunteer Program. Thanks to the commitment of its members and dentists, the clinic serves more than a thousand patients a year free of charge.
Students from the Bellavista and San Lorenzo de Coya schools will be the first to access, free of charge, top-level dental care thanks to the volunteer work of dentists at the Committee Santa María Dental Clinic, located in the El Teniente Stadium.
The clinic, which is supported by mothers and wives of El Teniente executives, offers free dental care to people who have financial limitations to access dental services.
In a joint effort, Codelco El Teniente Division supports with the supply of essential materials and supplies for the clinic. From instruments, anesthesia and hygiene materials, this support guarantees the quality of care to the community.
Esonka Alfonso, president of the Committee, explained that “dental care is expensive and any procedure means a significant amount of money to spend. “It gives us great satisfaction to see people leaving with their new prosthesis and a smile.”
Mabel Caroca, Rafaela’s mother, expressed her gratitude to the clinic for giving her daughter the opportunity to correct her bite with braces. “All this effort contributes to the health of children, free of charge, for people in nearby towns,” she said.
Currently, with the support of 15 volunteer specialists, the clinic offers a wide range of services, including dental surgery, orthodontics, speech therapy, maxillofacial surgery, rehabilitation and x-rays.
Daniela Contreras, volunteer and orthodontic specialist, pointed out that “it is a great support to the community, because it finances a treatment, but it also helps to restore people’s smile and self-esteem.”
For her part, Nicole Ascencio, a volunteer dental surgeon, added that “it is important that it is free care for those who really need it. Furthermore, we accompany them, because they are people who do not have access. With this, we generate a change in their future.”
Commitment to the health of communities
During 2023, more than 1,000 people from Coya, Chacayes, Machalí and Rancagua benefited from this initiative, thus marking a significant impact on the health of the region.
María Amalia Silva, in charge of the clinic and member of the Committee, explained that “the most important thing for us, the members who have been in this committee for years, is to contribute to those who need it most.” Cristián Sanhueza, director of Community Development, thanked “the invaluable work of the volunteers and specialists at the dental clinic. Their joint commitment directly contributes to strengthening the health and bond with our communities, adding significant value to our
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