A few months ago, I received a call from Siromax inviting me to lead an introductory course on CEREC at the Quellón Hospital. I accepted without much thought, though I must admit that at the time, I didn’t immediately associate Quellón with the remote Isla Grande de Chiloé.
What I found there was far more than just a course—it was an enriching experience that truly touched my heart.
Quellón, a city located at the southernmost tip of Isla Grande de Chiloé, is home to 27,000 residents. It is entirely detached from the mainland, characterized by a cold, rainy climate, small streets, and charming local shops. However, when I arrived, the radiant sun and spring-like temperatures allowed me to explore and enjoy every corner of the town. The breathtaking, snow-covered Andes Mountains stood like a perfect postcard backdrop behind the newly built hospital.
The hospital was in its final stages of construction—fine-tuning details and securing the necessary permits. This ambitious project is a source of great pride for the local community and the healthcare professionals working there, as they anticipate a significant improvement in healthcare services for the region.
A New Hospital, A New Era for Dentistry:
The dental department was no exception to this transformation. With the goal of providing faster, more efficient, and timely treatments, the hospital sought to incorporate the CEREC system—an innovation that will be life-changing for a community where weather conditions and geographic isolation often make regular hospital visits challenging.
Currently, fabricating a dental crown on the mainland can take anywhere from three to five months, not to mention the high costs involved. And the reality is even more disheartening—by the time the prosthetic work arrives, many patients have already lost the affected tooth. This creates an incredibly frustrating situation for the entire dental team.
With CEREC, waiting times will be drastically reduced, allowing patients to receive restorations in a single visit.
In Quellón, I encountered a dedicated, highly motivated team eager to step out of their comfort zone and embrace new technologies. They face significant challenges, but I have no doubt they will achieve their goals. I will always be available to support them on this journey.
Siempre estaré disponible para apoyarles en este camino.
It’s essential to remember that CEREC is a cutting-edge technology designed to solve dental issues in just one appointment. However, its success depends on teamwork—every member of the dental service plays a vital role in the patient care process. More importantly, the willingness to learn and adapt must come from within, driven by a personal commitment to making quality dental care a reality for the people in these remote areas.
In just one year, the Quellón community will witness the tangible benefits of having a highly trained team in digital dentistry, aligned with global advancements. I am confident that the results will speak for themselves.
I also hope that Chile’s public healthcare policies and bureaucratic processes will adapt to better support these regional health centers, where dedicated dentists and auxiliary staff voluntarily go above and beyond to improve community health. If the system places its trust in them, provides the necessary resources, and ensures proper care for the equipment, the transformation will be remarkable.
On behalf of Siromax and myself, we wish this team a journey filled with success and fulfillment. Professionally, the satisfaction of delivering high-quality treatments in a short time not only enriches the spirit but also fuels the motivation to keep growing in this incredible field of dentistry.
