About DVM
About Us
“Trust in the Lord with all your heart and lean not on your own understanding; in all your ways submit to him,and he will make your paths straight.” –Proverbs 3:5-6
Our Mission
Following the example and commission of Jesus Christ, Dental Vision Mission exists to proclaim the Gospel in word and deed. We believe every follower of Christ is specifically gifted and prepared for some aspect of this ministry. It is our desire to bless the unreached and under-served of the world with the healing love and salvation only found in Jesus Christ.
Our Vision
- Reaching and ministering to third world people.
- Show Compassion through Dental, Eye Care, and Medicine in order to share the gospel.
- Train and equip believers to show Jesus’ Love by helping people in their spiritual and physical needs.
Our Founder | Gayle Cheatwood
Our Founder
Gayle Cheatwood
Dr. Gayle Cheatwood, DDS, FADI, FICD, runs his dental practice in Holtville, CA. His passion for humanitarian and mission work took root long before his professional career. While a student, he embarked on his first mission trip in 1974, a year before graduating cum laude from Creighton University School of Dentistry in 1975. Since then, he has led more than 140 mission trips across the globe, where he’s brought critical dental care (as well as eye care and other medical care services) to underserved communities and built a lasting legacy of compassion and service. Gayle and Nita Cheatwood celebrate 57 years of marriage this year.
Board of Directors
Gary Rodgers
Gary Rodgers is a founding member of Dental Vision Mission and has served on the Board of Directors since its inception. His contribution to DVM involves assisting missionaries in providing eyewear and eyeglasses for needy, isolated groups in Mexico, Papa New Guinea, Romania, India, and Vietnam. He cofounded Valley Youth Services, Inc. which provides social opportunities for troubled youth in the Imperial Valley of California. He was elected to the Holtville City Council and to the Board of Trustees for the Holtville United School District. Gary served as professor and administrator at Imperial Valley College for 35 years and is recently retired. He raised his family in Holtville and is a member of the Methodist Church.
H. Kent Neubert
Dr. H. Kent Neubert, DDS, is a founding board member, originally from Overland Park, Kansas. He and his wife Jenanne have been many mission trips with Dental Vision Mission. He earned his DDS degree from the University of Missouri, Kansas City and practiced general dentistry in Casper, Wyoming for 42 years. Kent is the primary dentist for the Transformation Smiles Project, a ministry of the Wyoming Rescue Mission.
Richard Moore
Richard Moore and his wife Tammy have lived in Holtville, CA for over 44 years, pastoring a bilingual church there. One of the first people they met in Holtville was Dr. Cheatwood who became the family’s dentist. Richard and Tammy are grateful to be working with Gayle and Nita Cheatwood by serving on the board of Dental Vision Mission and facilitating mission projects in Latin America and the rest of the world.
Jawn Swan
Jawn Swan has been married to his wife Kathleen for almost 50 years. He is a small business owner, inventor, and President of Crystal Mark, Inc. in Glendale, CA. Jawn and Kathleen recently moved from West Los Angeles to Camarillo, CA to be close to their youngest of eight grandkids. Jawn went to school at Allen Hancock College and LAVC (Los Angeles Valley College). Jawn loves the Lord and is an active participant in many mission trips. His gift of innovation keeps our equipment running efficiently and in good working order.
Chris Poe
Dr. Chris Poe, DDS, and his wife Misti have a dental practice in the mountains of Colorado. Dr. Poe had a unique upbringing, having a fearless father dentist who sought adventure and was a warrior for the kingdom of heaven. Dr. Poe started going on dental vision mission trips all over the world with this family at 3 years old. Dr. Poe’s father kept taking his family deeper and deeper and the mission trips kept getting more and more adventurous over the years. Dr. Poe was on a mission trip with his father abroad at age 11 and decided to become a dentist and never wavered in his decision. Being involved in the dental mission field has been instrumental in who Dr. Poe is and his outlook on the world. Dr. Poe now continues the tradition of taking his own family into the mission field to help mold their worldview with a Christ-centered servant’s heart.
Oaxaca – Mexico
February 2020
San Gabriel Mixtepec – Mexico
March 2019
DVM Testimonials
You work on the teeth of about 80 kids and adults. You examine the eyes of about 500 students and provide the glasses for about 150 pairs, donating additional funding for the 350 students we examined. We could not ask for more than what your team have done for us. You have demonstrated His love and passion to the needy, setting the model of servant leadership with a big heart and love in His kingdom.
DVM Missionaries
It's about restoring smiles and self-esteem, educating communities and training others to continue this noble mission. The ripple effect of his teaching efforts can be seen in the numerous colleagues he has trained in remote, portable dentistry practices, innovation being his hallmark.
Dentist / DVM Missionary
We had 127 professions of faith in Christ. What a blessing to see people's physical needs met by these dear folk from America, but we also rejoice even more in the decisions for Christ that were made that day. We all would like to THANK YOU for your sacrificial labor in our church. Your presence and help had opened doors to people who normally would never step into a Baptist Church. May the Lord bless you ten fold for your medical efforts around the world.
DVM Missionary
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