There are many countries, other than the United States, in need of dental care for the underprivileged. I have spent two weeks each
summer since 2001 providing dental care for orphaned children in Armenia. These unique experiences proved to be both educational
and rewarding.
Armenia is a small country bordered by Turkey, Azerbaijan, Georgia, and Iran. Since becoming the first Christian nation in 301 AD,
the Armenian people have endured through many wars with surrounding Muslim countries. In 1915, the Armenian Genocide took the lives
of close to 2 million Armenians as they were brutally exiled from Turkey during World War I. The Soviet Union defended some of the
survivors in eastern Turkey, and Armenia became the Soviet Republic of Armenia for the next 70 years. Although the Armenian people
prospered under the protection of the Russians, they were not allowed to practice Christianity freely. When the breakup of the
Soviet Union occurred in 1990, Armenia gained both its independence and religious freedom. The peoples’ joy was short-lived because
later that same year the most devastating earthquake in modern history occurred, and Russia was not able to help with the recovery.
To make matters worse, a dispute over ancient land resulted in a war with neighboring Azerbaijan. The next eight years of war and
poverty created one of highest percentages of orphaned children in the world.
The Church of Armenia has tried to implement as many programs as possible for Armenia’s orphans. One of these programs is called
“Jambar,” which means camp in Armenian. Between one and two hundred orphans come from eight different regions of Armenia and
Georgia, for each of the three camp sessions hosted by Archbishop Abraham, Primate of the Diocese of Suinik. Jambar is located at
Camp Siranoush in a very pristine, scenic part of southwestern Armenia called Yegheknadzor. There is a river running through the
camp surrounded by towering mountain peaks and cliffs. The terrain is great for hiking and mountain climbing as well as off road
driving.
At Jambar, the children play sports, swim, have arts and crafts workshops and instruction in the use of computers. Campers also
have the opportunity to show their talents and creativity by giving performances for fellow campers. In the evenings, the children
socialize and participate in ethnic dancing. This camping opportunity also gives these orphans a chance to learn about their
religion and cultural heritage. In addition to these normal camp activities, children at Jambar also receive dental care
administered by dedicated volunteers.
In 1998, the present dental clinic was completed with help and donations from the Armenian Dental Society of California.
Dr Viken Garabedian of Laguna Niguel, California has been the catalyst for this incredible transformation from lawn chairs and
flashlights to a fully equipped dental clinic, which is state-of-the-art and uses the same equipment found in the United States.
Specifically, the clinic is equipped with an x-ray machine and automatic developer, all the necessary dental instruments, supplies
and materials. Although the vast majority of the patients at Jambar are children, ages 6-18, camp workers with acute dental
emergencies are also treated.
All camp volunteers receive room and board, as well as transportation to and from Yerevan, the capital of Armenia. The two and a
half-hour drive through the mountains from Yerevan to the camp is spectacular. The highlight of the trip was Mt. Ararat, the most
beautiful mountain that I have ever seen. Mt. Ararat is considered by many to be the “cradle of life” and the place where Noah’s
Ark came to rest as depicted in the Holy Bible. Although aerial photographs have shown something resembling the wreckage of a
wooden ship, the Turkish government will not allow expeditions on the ancient mountain.
I have made two successful trips to Armenia. In 2001, I accompanied Hayr Soorp Aren Jebejian, my pastor at St. Gregory the
Illuminator Armenian Church in Chicago, as he led a youth group on a pilgrimage celebrating the 1700th year of Christianity in
Armenia. Before making the trip to Jambar, Hayr Soorp Aren took the group to cultural museums, ancient churches and the Genocide
Memorial. Since Hayr Soorp Aren attended seminary in Etchmiadzin, his first hand knowledge of Armenia’s cultural history made him
the perfect guide. He also took the group to Etchmiadzin for Holy Badarak (Divine Liturgy) and a visit with Catholicos Karekin II.
This would be like going to the Vatican for mass, followed by a private meeting with the Pope. This holy place for Armenian
Orthodox Christians is where St. Gregory the Illuminator is said to have seen a vision of Jesus Christ descending from heaven to
strike a golden hammer, proclaiming that a church be built on the site.
When our group arrived at Jambar, we were greeted by Dr.Viken and his team of Armenian dentists. We worked twelve-hour days for
seven days straight. All 138 children received a cleaning, an exam and a fluoride treatment. Almost 800 composite and amalgam
restorations were placed. Fifty-one root canals and 70 extractions were performed. Another dentist from Jersey City, NJ,
Dr. Anahid Youssoufian, arrived as I was departing. Before I left the camp, Dr. Viken asked us to head up a team of our own for
the next year’s Jambar.
In 2002, Dr. Viken and Dr. Charles Tatosian, an endodontist also from Laguna Niguel, CA, lead a team including Dr. Eunice Hong,
a dentist from Loma Linda, CA, and Dr.Mike Jeansonne from Beaumont, Texas, for the June summer camp session. In July, Dr. Anahid
and I led the second team with the help of Dr. Garineh Muzadian, a dentist from Etchmiadzin and Dr. Ara Kovalenk, a dentist from
Goris, Armenia. Our team completed most of our 134 treatment plans, which included exams, fluoride treatments, cleanings, 690
fillings, 15 root canals and 130 extractions. Dr. Robert Garabedian of Fresno, CA (no relation to Dr. Viken) arrived just in time
to finish the treatment plans for the remainder of our kids as Dr. Anahid and I departed Jambar.
The hardest part of both trips was leaving. The orphans would gather to say goodbye. They were extremely appreciative of both our
friendship and dental services since most of the children had never seen a dentist, could not afford a toothbrush or toothpaste,
and survived on candy, soda and ice cream, which are readily available and inexpensive. I truly enjoy helping these children and
will continue to do so as long as I am able. I hope other dentists will join me.
Jeffrey S. Wittmus, DDS, FADI