Gabriel Project Mumbai (GPM) is proud to welcome the second contingent of dental students and faculty from Touro University College of Dental Medicine to the tribal region of Mokhada, Maharashtra. This dedicated team has traveled from Touro’s New York and Albuquerque campuses to provide essential emergency dental care to hundreds of people living in remote villages—many of whom have never had access to a dentist.
Working in close partnership with dental students and supervisors from the SMBT Institute of Dental Sciences and Research, the third-year Touro students are spending an intensive week delivering critical treatments, including extractions, scaling, restorative procedures, and diagnostic care for patients suffering from severe and long-neglected dental conditions.
One of the most striking aspects of the program has been the
diversity of the student body and the way it has enriched the collaboration in
the field. Akash Patel from GPM shared his admiration for the team:
“It was incredible to see students from so many different
backgrounds-dentists from Kuwait, a Vietnamese-American student, a Palestinian
dental student, and two Orthodox Jewish students - all working side by side.
Despite their different cultures and life experiences, they came together
seamlessly with a shared purpose: to serve.”
Monica, a student from Touro’s New York campus and the only
female participant in the cohort, was especially moved by her connection with
the local professionals:
“Meeting and working alongside the all-women Indian dental
team from SMBT was incredibly inspiring. It felt empowering and affirming to be
part of a global community of women committed to improving health care access.”
Thaiza Dias, GPM’s Senior Manager, expressed deep admiration
for the commitment and stamina of both the international and Indian dental
teams:
“I was amazed watching the dentists stand for hours,
performing extractions, scaling, and other treatments for villagers - many of
whom had never seen a dentist before. Some cases were complex and
time-consuming, but the collaboration between the international and Indian
teams was seamless and inspiring.” She adds: “We brought all our equipment into
the villages and were even able to conduct X-rays on site. That made a huge
difference in diagnosing and treating patients properly in such remote
settings.”
Dr. Rob Weber, Associate Professor at Touro University
College of Dental Medicine, who led both the first cohort in February and the
current delegation, reflected on the broader vision behind the program:
“This is exactly what we at Touro have dreamed of - training
student dentists while making a real and immediate impact on the health of
underserved communities. To see our students helping so many people who have no
access to dental care is deeply fulfilling. Working hand in hand with our SMBT
colleagues also means that patients with more complicated needs can receive
follow-up care at their clinics, ensuring continuity and dignity in treatment.”
