Professor of Dentistry at Bahiana receives award for Best Dentist in the World

What led you to look for the Dentistas do Bem organization?
I got to know the project by seeing an article about Dentists for Good in Caldeirão do Huck, in 2009, but at the time, I didn't sign up, as I was setting up an office. I only signed up for the project in 2010, during the FDI Congress, held in Salvador. In 2011, I was invited to Sorriso do Bem, an event for training new coordinators, accountability for the project and awarding the most outstanding dentists. There they asked me to be the new coordinator of the project in Salvador. I was afraid I couldn't handle it, but I fell in love with TdB and, since then, I've done everything so that the project can grow and so that more people have the opportunity to smile!

In a country with such a precarious health system, how do you evaluate initiatives like Dentista do Bem? Do you believe the organization makes any difference in our scenario?
I think that initiatives with Dentista do Bem are fundamental, because, unfortunately, the government does not take care of the population as it should, and civil society, seeing the inefficiency of public authorities, ends up creating initiatives that help the population and minimize the suffering of thousands of people invisible to the government.

Does the organization receive any support from the government or other entities?
No. Turma do Bem does not receive public funds. The project is maintained with the help of companies and fundraising actions, such as product sales, sympathetic courtesies, parties, bazaars, bingos, etc. We have just created an application called ISMYLI, aimed at Dentists for Good. dentists will be able to buy products, take courses and training. Part of the income collected will be allocated to the project.

This award for Best Dentist in the World highlights which aspects of the dentist's work?
The award is given to the volunteer dentist who worked hardest to democratize access to dentistry in their municipality or region. The selection of the Best Dentist in the World takes into account the performance of volunteer dentists who have done the most for their city, including screening for the selection of patients with oral problems, registering new volunteer dentists, in addition to promoting public policies that help in the prevention of oral health and fundraising for the sustainability of the project.

You are a professor, you work in your office and still work in the Dentista do Bem program. How do you manage to meet so many demands?
I meet so many demands, as I am passionate about Dentistry and what it does in people's lives. We transform much more than smiles, we transform lives.

What do you attribute having received this award?
I attribute it to teamwork, as I don't do anything alone, and the award also goes to all Dentists for Good in Salvador, their partners and supporters. This year, we achieved important partnerships with companies that produce events, such as Reino da Folia, Carnival Center and Summer Festival. Part of the income from abadás and tickets will be earmarked for the project.

I want to thank Tereza Lelis, Saulo Passos, Lelis Family, Reino da Folia, Kika Teixeira, Bell Marques, Joaquim Nery, Jaqueline Lessa, Central do Carnaval, Lilian Gramacho, Carolina Vianna, Guilherme Furtado Lopes Filho, Rede Bahia and the entire Festival team Summer, because thanks to these people, many young people will have a beautiful and healthy smile!

How can a dentist participate in the project?
The dentist can access the Turma do Bem website, www.tdb.org.br, and register or you can contact me by e-mail drleonardocosta@gmail.com, which I will send you a registration form.


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