Kurtz and Kurtz DDS Donates Dental Equipment to Barbuda

Kurtz and Kurtz DDS is helping those in need on the Caribbean island of Barbuda by making sure those who live there get the dental care they need. This is part of the Bonnie Floyd Ministries that works closely with their church, Martinsburg Grace Brethren.

Douglas Kurtz and his wife Jamie said they are working on creating a dental clinic within a medical facility that is already on the island.

Douglas will be going on a mission trip to Barbuda for the first time in March to provide dental care to the residents.

On the other hand, Pastor Brian McCall, of their church has been there multiple times.

“The church has actually been going over there for quite a while,” Douglas said.

Jamie said that there is a ministry center where the groups from the church are able to stay.

“Several groups from the church have been going there for many years,” she said.

Douglas said what Bonnie Floyd went through is a story about forgiveness.

In 1994, Bonnie’s parents were in Barbuda sailing on a yacht and were murdered by some of the native people on the island.

“She felt God calling her to talk to those men in prison, and she led at least one of them to Christ,” Douglas said. “That is an amazing story.”

Robin Smith, a hygienist at the family dentistry, has been in close communication with Bonnie to figure out the equipment needed and did the research on what they needed to get it there.

“It is amazing to hear Bonnie speak,” she said.

Smith has been on many medical mission trips before.

“Robin has had a heart for this type of ministry,” Douglas said. “She has a heart to use her skills for medical missions.”

He said the church has built homes, remodeled the training center and provided services geared towards women’s needs.

McCall, Bonnie and Donnie Floyd then asked him about opening a dental clinic and then the whole idea of the mission trip was started.

“He asked me to pray about opening a clinic there,” Douglas said. “It wouldn’t just be for me, it would be for whoever else is there.”

They have ordered multiple dental units and are working with Victor Beach of Loretto who works with one of the local supply companies.

“I worked with him for over 30 years — Victor also donated some equipment,” Douglas said.

An enormous shipping container was loaded with all of the equipment in August, and it finally arrived in October.

He said it normally takes a long time to ship anything to Barbuda.

There was enough equipment for two treatment rooms, and would include what most would expect to see at the dentist.

“Some of the equipment is designed a little differently because their water and sewage is different, “ Douglas said. “We have these self contained units that are designed for medical missions.”

The Kurtz family has done missions trips prior to this in the Philippines, but none of them were related to dental.

“We have always talked about at some point doing this,” Douglas said.

The Floyds are hoping to have everything ready with the clinic by February in time for the trip in March.

Smith and several other of the hygienists from the office also want to go on the trip.

“I was pretty happy to hear how receptive our staff was about being a part of this,” Douglas said.

It is a good opportunity to give back and do something outside of the United States.

Bonnie told them that they might be overwhelmed with the reaction, and people will line up when the clinic opens because they don’t have any dental care.

Douglas and Jamie’s son Chris, who is also a dentist, said oral health is very important for everyone.

“Oral health can affect your overall wellbeing, and it is more than just appearance or looks,” he said.

Douglas said most of the residents on the island are more concerned with the function of their teeth than with cosmetics.

“Being able to eat and not have dental pain, is what they are more concerned about,” he said.