L-R, Fellows Rosemary Young Chan, Chair of the Outreach Program; Section Vice Chair Hermogenes Villareal; Rose C. Nisce; Section Chair Diampo Lim; and Best Awardee Primo Gonzales

Section Chairman Diampo J. Lim, Dean of the Philippine School of Dentistry, met last March with his Section's Fellows to carefully plan their PFA Philippine Section Community Program for the year. They were extending their outreach program into a new area of the country and wanted their venture to look polished and professional. They were planning an Oral Health Dental Education Project for more than 600 first-grade pupils in three elementary schools in the Paete, Laguna Province, about 65 miles (120 km) south of Manila. Therein resides the home of world-class Filipino woodcarvers. Antonio A. Baldemor and 26 other dedicated Fellows attended this session with all the Section Officers and those in charge of the demonstrations for three elementary schools.

Using large plastic models, correct tooth brushing skills were demonstrated and packets containing toothpaste, a toothbrush, mouth rinse, germicide bath soap, a small face towel, a plastic cup, and multi-vitamin tablets were distributed to the students. PFA also provided assorted pediatric emergency medicines to the three schools.

The villages were very appreciative of this service and the Mayors along with all the town officials were on hand to welcome the PFA entourage.

First graders preparing for the tooth brushing drill in Paete.

The next planned activity of this sort has been scheduled at Bagac, Bataan, the home Province of Best Award recipient Primo Gonzales, an Advisor on the project.

Since 2004, their PFA Section has adopted two Philippine areas to be included in their Community Outreach Program: the Loob Bunga Elementary School in Botolan, Zambales, (Dental World, Sept/Oct 2005 issue, p. 13; and Jan/Feb 2006 issue, pp.10-11) and the Paete School in Laguna. The school in Bagac, Bataan, will be the third added this year.

Fellow Leonor Lago, Chair of the Membership Committee, introduced the PFA Fellows, the PFA Philippine Section Officers, and the Paete Town Officials