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God commands us as believers to go and make disciples. The main purpose of Dental Vision Mission is to go and share the gospel to underserved people groups using the healing arts to share compassion as Jesus did. People are more willing to listen to the gospel of Jesus if you show that you care. We leave new believers in the care of local pastors and churches where they then can be discipled.
The founder of Dental Vision Mission is Dr. Gayle Cheatwood, DDS, FADI, FICD. Dr. Cheatwood runs his dental practice in Holtville, CA, however his passion for humanitarian 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, his dedication to serving others has taken him far beyond the walls of a typical clinic—leading to 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.
We have been to over 30 different countries. In the last few years, we have been to China, Romania, Myanmar, Ukraine, Greece and Mexico. The latest trip was to Oaxaca, staying In Puerto Escondido and going into four different tribal villages over a course of 6 days.
After Jesus died and was raised to life, He came back to earth for forty days. During that time, He appeared to five hundred people and spent time with his disciples. His last words on earth are in Matthew 28:19-20: “Go, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.”
Christ’s final words are known as The Great Commission. Disciples (disciplined followers) of Jesus are called to go, make disciples, baptize, and teach.
Following the example and commission of Jesus, 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 Christ Jesus.
Since its inception in 2008, the CDA Foundation Humanitarian Award has honored California dentists who have demonstrated a lifelong commitment to exceptional, selfless leadership and meaningful contributions to humanity through their work in dentistry. This award honors the late Dr. Andrew Soderstrom, CDA past president and co-founder for the CDA Foundation’s CDA Cares program. Learn more about the award and see a list of past recipients.
Dental Mission Vision founder Dr. Gayle Cheatwood was honored as the CDA Foundation’s 2024 Humanitarian Award recipient.
We go into underserved area with the main goal of being able to reach the lost. We stay together in a safe, comfortable hotel, usually leaving around 6:30 or 7:00am. We arrive at the village about an hour or so later, starting to set up our clinic and eat breakfast provided by the local church. We start seeing patients around 9:00am, eat lunch around 1:00pm and end the clinic at 4:00pm. We all work together to break down our clinic and travel back to the hotel. We have dinner at 7:00pm then meet back at the hotel for a time of worship and testimonies/devotions.
The logistics team always has a great place picked out to stay that is safe and comfortable. Days can be long so it’s nice to have a place to come back to rest.
Dental Vision Mission acts as a conduit for resources, donations and volunteer efforts —mission travelers even bear the cost of trip expenses from their own donations or resources, ensuring that DVM donations translate directly into equipment and instruments required for the treatment and care of patients.
Go to the Contact Page, fill out the info, and let us know you’re interested!
Yes. Dr. Chris Poe has taken his family of four (with children ages 3 and 6 at the time) with zero issues and never felt that his family was in danger or that their safety was compromised. They had a blast and actually turned out to be a great help. If you don’t speak the native language, you will find that a smile and kind heart is all you need to connect with people.
