Student uses trip to Cambodia to change a little corner of her world

Northwest Medical Teams volunteer will translate for dentists

By Christina Lent

The Beaverton Valley Times, Jan 4, 2007, Updated Oct 30, 2009 (9 Reader comments)

Westview High School senior Sidhtara Tep leaves tonight for Cambodia to help Northwest Medical Teams provide dental treatment to orphans and widows.

Ray Pitz / Times Newspapers

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Sidhtara Tep leaves tonight for an opportunity of a lifetime. The Westview High School senior is part of an 18-member team traveling to Cambodia for two weeks with Northwest Medical Teams to provide dental treatment to orphans and widows in the rural Rattanakiri province.

Tep will serve as an assistant to six dentists and two dental hygienists who will treat 300 to 400 orphans during their visit to the Southeast Asian nation.

“I’m looking forward to helping out and seeing that part of the country,” said Tep, who plans to become a dentist. “I’m really excited about having the opportunity to be around the dentists every day and learn skills that will be helpful in the future.

“I think it will be a rewarding experience.”

The trip will give her a chance to gain insight about dentistry and humanitarian efforts by medical professionals to help those who do not have access to medical and dental treatment around the world.

“This is something that I want to do when I’m older,” Tep said. “I’ve thought about one day getting involved with Doctors Without Borders. It’s cool to be able to do something like that now.”

Tep learned about the volunteer opportunity with Northwest Medical Teams through her membership in the Cambodian American Community of Oregon.

After expressing her interest in taking part in the effort, she was quickly selected to join the team.

“Her knowledge of the (Khmer) language will be a huge help while we’re there,” said Dr. Dale Canfield, a Portland dentist who is leading the Northwest Medical Team trip. “Sidhtara is going to be a great addition to our team.

“This will be my fifth trip to Cambodia, and I love taking students with us. It’s a great opportunity to introduce them to the idea of philanthropy and working for people who desperately need help.”

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