DT News - Canada - Dr. Izchak Barzilay and Dr. Mariela Gonzalez: Doing well by doing good

Dental Tribune Canada

Wed. 18 February 2015

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As an educator at multiple dental schools, and with a Toronto-based practice in prosthodontics and implant dentistry, Dr. Izchak Barzilay is used to receiving lots of referrals. His skills, chairside manner and devotion to education result in a nonstop workflow. But recently, those traits delivered even greater rewards.

One of his former students, Dr. Ira Sankiewicz, is a founder of Bridge to Health (formerly “To the World”), a non-governmental organization providing dental and medical care in the world’s most impoverished areas. Impressed with the successes and efficiencies of Barzilay’s 30-person practice, Dr. Sankiewicz asked Barzilay to bring his skills — and the logistical genius of his business manager — to one of the world’s most underserved areas: Kabale, Uganda.

Barzilay and business manager Mariela Gonzalez spent two weeks in Western Ugandan villages providing care to approximately 5,000 patients, working with two other dentists, three hygienists, three physicians, three resident physicians, three medical students, two nurses, two pharmacists and three research associates.

“There were many people in a lot of pain,” Gonzalez said. “Some of the children were very ill. There were many orphans. But it truly was rewarding — not just for the people receiving help, but for us — being able to give back.”

The two were planning to return in February 2015, and they also want to add a Central American mission. “It immediately became part of who we are,” Gonzalez said, recounting how inspiring it was at day’s end when she would need to tell 100-plus people still in line that only the 10 most in need could be seen — and without fail everybody would point to somebody else.

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