Katy orthodontist fills a need

With a desire to travel and help others, Tran took her first trip to Vietnam five years ago while a senior in dental school and spent two weeks in giving dental cleaning and care to children. Each year, Global Dental Relief organizes a dental mission in a rural location of a needy global community where basic dental care is unavailable. A group of dentists, dental hygienists and other volunteers work together to care for hundreds of children over several days providing children with examinations, cleanings and restorations or extractions if necessary. Kimberly Troggio, director of Global Dental Expeditions, first met Tran during her Vietnam trip and said the Katy orthodontist immediately began working in an unfamiliar environment without hesitation. Even though work at her practice is busy and her weekends are filled with enjoying Houston's cultural scene, Tran said she hopes to find the time for another dental mission.