Foundation Holds Free Dental Clinic

SAN BERNARDINO>> Tzu Chi is an international humanitarian organization whose mission is to relieve the suffering of those in need, and create a better world for all. In Chinese, “tzu” means compassion and “chi” relief. With open hearts and helping hands, volunteers from the organization help serve others including in San Bernardino, California. On Nov. 20, more than 60-80 patients were seen at a free dental clinic hosted by the Western Region of the organization. With 5-10 dentists serving the San Bernardino community, patients had the opportunity to receive dental services including a deep cleaning or tooth pulling. The free clinic was held at Indian Springs High School, located at 650 N Del Rosa Dr., San Bernardino, CA 92410. Andrew Lin, Associate Director of Western Region of the Buddhist Tzu Chi Foundation, said the mobile dental clinic was started more than 25 years ago in the San Bernardino area. Lin said he has seen the number of people attending the clinic decrease throughout the years because of Obamacare. "We don't see it as a downside but we are trying to see if there is anyone else who needs help," Lin said. "We know the poverty level is high in the area and a lot of people may not have the care so we try to do something so we can help these people in need." While the dentists mainly do basic dental care, they can help refer patients who may need more extensive work or possibly help the patient next time they are in the area. Lin said anyone who feels they need the care are welcomed to attend any of the future clinics and said they plan to go back to the San Bernardino area at least four times in 2017. According to the Tzu Chi website, in 1966, Dharma Master Cheng Yen established Tzu Chi Foundation in Hualien, an impoverished rural county of Taiwan. The devout Buddhist nun was moved by the misery and pain she saw around her and made a powerful aspiration to relieve suffering and help the poor. She joined forces with five female disciples and thirty housewives, and to fund their charity, the women made baby shoes for sale and put money aside from what they had for food. Tzu Chi is now ten million strong, active on five continents and in more than 90 countries. "We improve lives in tangible ways and rejoice in how charity brings inner benefits too," the website states. "Transforming feelings of helplessness and despair into hope and empowerment, and bringing out the good in people through the happiness they discover when helping others is also our goal." Providing medical care to those who lack the means to pay has been Tzu Chi’s priority from the start, according to the website. "Today, we have a comprehensive network of hospitals, mobile units, doctors, medical professionals and volunteers offering free healthcare," the website states. "Ours is a human and holistic approach that values the well being of patient, family and medical team equally." For more information about the foundation, visit tzichi.us.