The Tzu Chi charity foundation recently held a dental mission in Bohol that drew 257 elementary and high school students, along with their parents, from the barangays of Ondol, Lawis and Sto. Niño in Inabanga town, Bohol.

The two-day mission held at the Inabanga Gym had eight dentists from the Tzu Chi International Medical Association and three Tzu Chi volunteers from Manila flying to Bohol and joining local Tzu Chi volunteers and staff to provide services such as cleaning and extraction of teeth, benefiting those suffering from dental problems.

Blase L. Justiniane, an eight-year-old student from Lawis Elementary School, expressed gratitude after he underwent tooth extraction.

“I want my teeth to be extracted because it hurts especially when I am eating. Thank you, Tzu Chi, for coming to our community to extract and clean our teeth,” he said.

Irene Justiniane, Blasé’s mother, added, “I am very grateful that my two sons availed of this mission, especially since we cannot afford to have our sons’ teeth extracted and cleaned. They also gave us medicines after extraction. Thank you, Tzu Chi and doctors. “

Dharma Master Cheng Yen once said, “In providing dental care to those in need, we not only heal their physical pain but also nurture the seeds of compassion, sowing smiles that blossom into hope for a healthier, happier future.”