Dental management professional Oscar Gonzalez and his wife Rebekah have responded to the needs of Central Americans by creating a foundation to provide supplies, clothing, books, toys and donations semi-annually for the past several years.

The couple, who reside in Chicago’s West Loop, founded the Obek Nicaragua Project to address material deficits in one of the region’s poorest countries. Oscar, who works as regional manager in Michigan and Illinois for the Chicago-based Dental Dreams, keeps an active blog of their journeys and their experiences on the ground.

 

“Every year or so, we take a trip to Nicaragua, and we like to use those trips as a chance to help out several orphanages in Granada,” Oscar wrote, describing how donations have provided thousands of dollars and material sundries. “(W)e also like to take advantage of our skills in dentistry by providing free dental care to the children and other needy members of the community. “

 

Gonzalez described the couple’s most recent trip as hugely successful, enabling them to care for patients and educate residents about oral health. They not only delivered dental and daily living supplies, but also received enough support to set up regular monthly provisions of rice, beans, oil and pasta to the Mission at Nuestra Señora del Carmen — an orphanage in Granada — and service a nearby child development center.

 

One of Gonzalez’ most memorable blog entries related the story of 4-year-old Christopher who, with education and care from the couple, learned proper dental hygiene and overcame embarrassment from his previously blackened teeth.

 

“On his last visit, his mother told us that Christopher had become a new child over the past week,” Oscar said. “He was showing off his new white smile to everyone, and would rush to brush his teeth after every meal and snack. We can only hope that this new routine will stick.”

 

Dental Dreams provides checkups, cleaning, imaging and a wide array of professional dental services and procedures with a clear mission of social responsibility to the entire community, regardless of insurance or other status.

 

Branches are located throughout Chicagoland, including Western Cook County. Dental Dreams runs offices in Aurora, North Riverside, Cicero, Rockford, Chicago Heights, Joliet, Melrose Park, Waukegan, Blue Island, Machesney Park and Bourbonnais.