Academy Associated Service in China:
Dr. Karl Koerner, our Regional Service Representative for China/Asia, shares that trips to China have been difficult to arrange and coordinate since 2020. Both he and Dr. Bruce Bosler conducted many trips prior to this time. Unfortunately, because of the pandemic as well as rising political tensions and the current tarrif situation is uncertain when humanitarian trips to China will resume. Currently things are in a holding pattern.
In the past, our China dental group has organized and conducted numerous humanitarian trips to China led by different dentists among us. These trips always combined teaching, free treatment, and absorbing the Chinese culture. Generally the cities we have visited included Xian, Suqian, Guilin, and Chengdu — but there are some others. We used existing dental clinics to treat indigent patients brought to us by local leaders. Some of these venues were private clinics and others were government facilities. We have treated up to 600 patients on trips and had informational exchanges with many Chinese professional colleagues. Due in part to our influence several of the facilities we have visited now have organized their own projects to treat the poor and needy. We are often off the tourist ‘beaten track’ working in remote areas normal foreigners never see. In the past we have taken dentists, hygienists, dental assistants, and other support personnel. We hope to be able to resume trips to China in the near future, but as mentioned, for now we are waiting to ensure things are safe.
Call or email Dr. Koerner for more information or questions (801-502-8585) karlrkoerner@comcast.net