TREATING EVERYONE LIKE FAMILY “We wait for your caravan every year, you know, it is the only dental care we get here. I feel so much younger, thanks to you, doctor,” was the gratitude that I received from the village woman as she hugged me.” That first day, while volunteering for the Medical Therapeutic Caravan, changed me in so many ways and it gave me the opportunity to notice why I fell in love with dentistry so long ago: its art makes me curious, and I like to be able to build a rapport with patients and ease their worries. I thought of my patient as my canvas, and my tools as my brushes. Not only did I have to examine and fix and create, but I also had to prepare, and prime my patient: in other words, I had to build a relationship with her and ease her nerves. I’ll never forget the look of deep trust and gratitude as her face radiated the most beautiful smile.