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Poptun, Peten, Guatemala

After Dr. Maria’s first mission trip, she decided she wanted to make a trip at least once a year. She visited Poptun, Peten, Guatemala in 2009. The dental mission team consisted of Dr. Maria, one other dentist, a dental assistant, a dental hygienist, and the nurse of the hospital. This dental mission was open to all people including adults and children. Many of the patients walked for miles to the free clinic. Between the staff, they saw about 40 patients a day, for 5 days.

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The hospital, Hospital Distrital de Poptun, Peten opened the dental clinic for the native people.

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The waiting room was constantly full of people with dental care needs. In five days, the missions team saw about 250 patients.

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Dr. Maria Loukas performed various procedures including extractions, cleanings, composite white fillings, and more.

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Many instruments and supplies were generously donated by Dr. Maria and other team members.

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Dr. Loukas worked with other dentists as a team and assisted when needed due to the lack of dental assistants.

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Many patients left the clinic very happy and grateful for the dental care they received.

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Dr. Maria loved the beautiful and very green scenery in Poptun.

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The dental mission team after the long week enjoyed a sight seeing day in Antigua, Guatemala.

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Dr. Thanasi Loukas, DMD
Dr. Thanasi M. Loukas, DMD is a graduate of Tufts University School of Dental Medicine and the owner of Loukas Dentistry of Park Ridge, Illinois — a family practice founded in 1981. Dr. Loukas specializes in dental implant surgery and restoration, Invisalign clear aligners, cosmetic dentistry, bone grafting, oral surgery, emergency dentistry, and facial aesthetics including Botox, dermal fillers, PDO threads, and Kybella. He uses advanced 3D CBCT imaging and digital guided implant planning to deliver precise, predictable outcomes for patients across Park Ridge, Niles, Des Plaines, and Chicago.