USOSM-Backed Surgeon Treats 1,739 Students in Philippines Dental Mission

Event summary

  • Dr. Wendy Liao, a USOSM partner, led a dental mission in General Santos, Philippines, treating 1,739 students with 510 extractions and 952 fluoride treatments.
  • The trip was organized by the Phillips-Renner Foundation and sponsored in part by USOSM's Medical Reimbursement Program, established in 2023.
  • Dr. Liao is a board-certified oral and maxillofacial surgeon and founder of Parkside Oral Surgery & Implant Center in Alameda, California.
  • The mission included dental hygiene education and free toothbrush distributions, addressing high tooth decay rates due to lack of care and knowledge.

The big picture

USOSM's support for Dr. Liao's mission underscores a growing trend among healthcare management organizations to invest in community outreach and global health initiatives. The program aligns with broader industry efforts to address healthcare disparities, particularly in regions with limited access to dental care. With USOSM's network spanning 31 states, the scalability of such initiatives could enhance its reputation and surgeon retention.

What we're watching

Program Expansion
Whether USOSM can scale its Medical Reimbursement Program to support more surgeon-led missions globally.
Impact Measurement
How the long-term effects of such missions on dental health in underserved regions will be tracked and reported.
Surgeon Engagement
The pace at which other USOSM surgeons participate in similar mission work, given the program's incentives.