Kathleen Joy Balisi
De La Salle University Manila
Pia Manalastas
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Dr. Marites Andres established the Ortho-Dental Clinic in Solana, Cagayan, to address the community's lack of access to quality dental care. She emphasizes the importance of preventive dentistry, educating patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, regular checkups, and early detection of dental issues. The clinic offers specialized services such as orthodontics, general dentistry, and cosmetic dentistry to cater to the community's diverse needs.
By providing oral health care and oral health promotion, she helps address SDG #3, Health and Well-being, since oral health is a part of general health and well-being.
Dr. Andres prioritizes patient satisfaction by providing personalized care, addressing concerns promptly, and maintaining a welcoming environment. She stays up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations in dentistry through continuous learning and professional development. To make dental care more accessible and affordable, the clinic offers flexible payment options, including installment plans. They also opened a second clinic branch in an underserved barrio to bring essential services directly to those in need. Both clinics offer flexible scheduling and appointment options to accommodate the busy schedules of working individuals and families.
Dental clinics can significantly reduce the prevalence of dental problems and promote overall oral well-being. By putting up an Ortho-Dental Clinic in Solana Cagayan, Dr. Andres mentioned, "With the help of my assistants, we introduced preventive dentistry in the community and emphasized that preventive dentistry is crucial for long-term oral health by educating patients on proper oral hygiene techniques, regular checkups, and early detection of dental issues." Dr. Andres' Ortho-Dental Clinic offers specialized services such as orthodontics, general dentistry, or cosmetic dentistry to cater to the community's diverse needs. She ensures a patient-centric approach to patient satisfaction by providing personalized care, promptly addressing concerns, and maintaining a welcoming and comfortable environment.
In the interview, Dr. Andres shared that she also participated in the FDI World Dental Congress held in Sydney, Australia, in September 2023. As a Philippine dentist, this can be significant to her professional development and knowledge enhancement as this helps her stay up-to-date with the latest trends and innovations in dentistry, learn from renowned experts and educators from around the globe, enhance their clinical skills and knowledge base, and gain insights into emerging technologies and treatment modalities to improve further the services they offer.
Additionally, Dr. Andres recognizes the financial constraints many patients face that may hinder them from taking extra care of their oral health; hence, offering flexible payment options, such as installment plans, can make dental care more accessible and affordable. This ensures that financial barriers do not hinder access to essential oral health services. Intending to bring essential services directly to underserved communities and far-flung areas, Dr. Andres shared that they opened another clinic branch in one of the little barrios of this town, an hour away from the town center. Both of her clinics offer flexible scheduling and appointment options, extended hours, and weekend availability to accommodate the schedules of working individuals and families.
Patients lining up for Dr. Andres' dental service
As a citizen of this town since birth, Dr. Andres has seen the challenges and the lack of dental care awareness of people. She pointed out, "I would really want to be an Ophthalmologist. But I remember when I was young, there was no education in our community about taking care of oral hygiene. Hence, when the need arises to see a dentist, people resort to self-medication, or those who have the means can visit the city to have themselves checked by a dentist. I thought there would be more patients in the dental industry. I could reach more people in this profession."
With this in mind, Dr Andres has made an extra effort to finish her studies at Centro Escolar University in Manila. At the young age of 21, she became a Doctor of Medicine in Dentistry. She went back to her hometown to serve by practicing in her field, where she first became a Department of Education dentist and, soon, also a private practitioner.
Dr. Marites T. Andres's dedication to providing comprehensive dental care to the Solana, Cagayan community is truly inspiring. Her Ortho-Dental Clinic has significantly impacted the residents' oral health, promoting preventive dentistry practices and offering specialized services to address the community's diverse needs.
Recognizing many patients' financial limitations, Dr. Andres' flexible payment options break down financial barriers to essential oral health care. This ensures everyone in the community has access to the quality dental care they deserve. Expanding her reach to underserved communities through a second clinic branch in a remote barrio highlights her commitment to providing accessible and equitable dental care. By offering flexible scheduling, extended hours, and weekend availability, both clinics cater to the busy schedules of working individuals and families.
Dr. Marites T. Andres' unwavering commitment to improving the oral health of her community is commendable. Her efforts in promoting preventive dentistry, providing specialized services, prioritizing patient satisfaction, addressing financial constraints, and expanding accessibility serve as a model for other dental professionals. Her dedication to her patients and community makes a difference in Solana, Cagayan.
Dr. Andres' dental clinic offers a range of personalized employee benefits, including opportunities for professional development, a meaningful impact on community health, and a supportive work environment. These benefits create a fulfilling and rewarding work experience for dental professionals passionate about making a difference in oral healthcare.
Having an established Ortho-Dental Clinic prioritizing preventive dentistry, Dr. Andres mentioned, "I think I have positioned myself as a trusted and valuable resource for the community's oral health needs. It's humbling to see people lining up to avail my service." Her emphasis on education, early detection, and personalized care has likely fostered strong patient relationships and loyalty, leading to a steady stream of business and referrals.
Dr. Andres' dedication to preventive dentistry and patient education has fostered a community with enhanced oral health, reducing the prevalence of dental problems and promoting overall well-being. When asked about her work's impact on people's lives, she said, "My patients would usually thank me because of diminished pain, suffering, and tooth loss, and therefore boosting self-esteem and quality of life. Some would say their thank you with fruits like bananas or pomelos."
On the environmental front, Dr. Andres emphasized that preventive dentistry and the reduction in extensive dental procedures have minimized the consumption of dental materials like amalgam, composite resin, and dental implants, conserving resources and mitigating the environmental footprint of dental care. Additionally, promoting proper oral hygiene practices has decreased the generation of dental waste, including disposable toothbrushes, packaging, and used dental floss, thereby conserving resources and minimizing pollution.
In essence, Dr. Andres' Ortho-Dental Clinic has positively impacted the Solana Cagayan community, both socially and environmentally, by promoting preventive dental care, offering flexible payment options, and expanding access to dental services, leading to improved oral health, reduced environmental impact, and enhanced overall well-being for the community.
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Dr. Marites T. Andres, Orthodontist
Dr. Marites T. Andres Ortho-Dental Clinic is located in Solana, Cagayan. Solana is a small municipality in the province of Cagayan, Philippines. It is found on the northern tip of Luzon Island, approximately 575 kilometers north of Manila, Philippines.
Solana has a population of 44,000 people. Its residents' primary income sources are agriculture, fishing, livestock raising, and small businesses.
Most of Solana's population is classified as rural, with limited access to quality dental care. Through the help of Dr. Marites T. Andres, an orthodontist who set up a dental clinic in this town in 2016, she has bridged geographical gaps, expanded access to quality dental services, and empowered the community to take charge of oral health.