Previous Story
Rotary moves forward with Rota Dental Smiles project
The Rotary Club of Saipan is still moving forward with its Rota Dental Smiles project in collaboration with island officials.
Club secretary Lareina Camacho said changes to be made is to upgrade the facility and the municipality has moved forward in renovating the dental clinic.
“Now the ball lies [with] the Rotary Club. We are going to be tapping our sister club, the Rotary Club of Tokyo Atago, to assist us in furnishing the dental clinic as well as the other clubs within the district. So the Rotary Club is part of District 2750 and it is Tokyo-based and we’re hoping that other Tokyo-based clubs would contribute financially to make this clinic happen this Rotary year,” Camacho said.
The Rotary year will end this June 30. Tokyo Atago earlier offered to assist the Rotary Club of Saipan in the Rota Smiles Project.
“So that’s our goal. Originally we were looking at this a year ago that we weren’t going to be implementing until 2016. But we fast forwarded with this project,” Camacho said.
Currently the Rotary Club has two dental chairs that were donated by the Seventh-Day Adventist Clinic. It still needs to purchase compressors and vacuums.
“That is just the actual clinic furnishing, but there will still be a need to provide for administrative supplies and the dental area,” Camacho said.
Aside from Tokyo Atago’s assistance, funding will come from local fundraising efforts such as the Las Vegas Night and the recently held McDonald’s McFun Run.
Rota currently has no dentist or dental clinic. Residents have to travel to nearby islands such as Saipan or Guam to receive basic dental care at considerable costs.
The purpose of the Rota Smiles Project is to provide dental services for the people of Rota at the Rota Health Center in Songsong Village. The project will focus on building renovation and purchasing dental equipment and furnishings, estimated to cost a total of $50,000.
