Roanoke Times
Copyright (c) 1995, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: THURSDAY, June 24, 1993 TAG: 9306240223
SECTION: VIRGINIA PAGE: C4 EDITION: NEW RIVER VALLEY
SOURCE: Associated Press
DATELINE: LYNCHBURG LENGTH: Medium
Mexican dentists who work with the Rev. Jack Knowles, Quaker Memorial Presbyterian Church's missionary to Mexico, will use the equipment this summer in visits to remote villages and schools near Puebla, south of Mexico City.
When Mahanes retired, the dentist who took over his practice brought in new equipment and donated Mahanes' equipment to Quaker Memorial in Lynchburg.
"It's a shame to let the stuff just sit around," said Mahanes, who lives in Rustburg.
"With this, they can move from village to village and stay for a week or a month or however long they're needed."
He said the dentists near Puebla now must make do with one small room equipped with 1920s-era dental fixtures.
Knowles' missionary school alone has 3,000 students in need of dental care.
Mahanes and Virgil Thomas, a retired tire dealer, spent the past two years rebuilding the travel trailer, which had a caved-in roof and a floor that was falling apart.
What once was the kitchen and sleeping area of the 8-by-24-foot trailer has been turned into the work area.
A dormitory-size refrigerator, sterilization unit and X-ray developing unit were squeezed into the space as well. A couch by the door will serve as the waiting room.
The two men also had to install a gas-fired water heater and an electric high-speed vacuum unit to keep the water pressure high enough for a dentist's needs. They built a generator into a storage space on the outside of the trailer.
Mahanes and Thomas are hauling the trailer to Mexico behind their recreational vehicle and will stay while Mahanes trains Mexican professionals to use the equipment.
The dentist's office on wheels is valued at $21,000, Mahanes said.
He and Thomas bought the trailer and collected donations and help from Quaker Presbyterian and several other congregations and businesses.
by CNB