Deah Barakat's project to be realized by Turkish dentists

Turkish Dental Association's Chairman Muzaffer Erdoğral has said that they will realize Deah Barakat's dream by setting up mobile and fixed dental treatment unit in Syrian refugee camps.

He made the announcement at the Implantist-Expo 2015 in Istanbul Congress Center, an exposition which presents different point of views in dental implantology.

Deah Barakat, 23, his wife Yusor Mohammad Abu-Salha, 21, and her sister Razan Mohammad Abu-Salha, 19, were fatally shot Tuesday in Chapel Hill, North Carolina.

Their neighbor, Craig Stephen Hicks, surrendered to police after the attack and has been charged with three counts of first-degree murder.

Barakat together with some Syrian and American friends had set up a project to help Syrian children. He planned to offer dental treatment, provide toothbrushes and toothpaste to Syrian children who are suffering from war consequences.

Erdoğral told Anadolu Agency correspondent that the Turkish Dental Association "wants to accomplish Barakat's dream by setting up a fixed or mobile dental unit for treatment of Syrian refugees in camps."

Erdoğral said Barakat had started a campaign in the United States to provide dental treatment for Syrian refugees living in Turkey. "We wish that university students should come and volunteer with us during holidays."

"The west has been very silent after the three Muslim students were killed in Chapel Hill, North Carolina. It was not the case after the Charlie Hebdo attack last month," he said. "We have two months to prepare for this project, set up the infrastructures and the other things we need."

"After the preparatory period, Volunteer dentists may come from anywhere," Erdoğral said, pointing out that the project would mature around June or July. "We also have the support of the Ministry of Health," he said. A team of five to ten dentists will work in the camps for about 10 days, he added.

"We will also take the opportunity to give regular trainings to our (student) volunteers. I believe we will have the support of stakeholders to ensure the necessary infrastructures," Erdoğral said.