When you are standing in a registration line you just never know who you might meet.  It is not so far-fetched when you are standing in a registration line at Mission of Mercy to think you might meet a dental hygienist, which is what happened to me in  June but what I never expected was to meet such an amazing young woman as Krysta Wetzel from the Madison area.

 Krysta started her dental career as a dental assistant at the age of 15 in Stevens Point where she grew up.  You could say it is in her blood with a grandfather who is a dentist and a mother who considered a career as a dental hygienist.  Krysta received her dental hygiene degree from Madison Area Technical College in 2004.  She now works at an office in Madison. Though the start to her career is not all that unique what she has done since she became a dental hygienist certainly is!

In a very short period this young woman has logged an incredible amount of community service hours!  Krysta has volunteered for the Salvation Army clinic in Madison administering local anesthetic and providing dental hygiene treatment.  She is currently volunteering as a dental assistant in a not-for-profit clinic owned by Tim Buck, a Henry Schein representative.  The “variety” of the job as a dental assistant really appeals to her.  She noted “As a dental hygienist we spend a lot of time telling our patients what is wrong but as a dental assistant you see the immediate reward of fixing what is wrong”. 

For five years now, Krysta has been involved with a Touched Twice Ministry project in Madison.  At TT events, those in need come to a place, usually a church, where they have a variety of services offered to them.  At some of the better coordinated events, such as the one Krysta is involved with, dental services are provided.  The daunting task Krysta has taken on is finding dental offices and coordinating staff to participate on the day of the event.  Patrons are initially screened at the Touched Twice event site and then shuttled to a participating office. For more information on Touched Twice go to: www.touchedtwice.org

Regardless where Krysta is volunteering she mentioned “How grateful I am to all the teammates I have whenever I volunteer, because many hands make for LIGHTER work!”

Over the past three years, Krysta, her husband Peter and their two children Ben and Mariana have gone on five mission trips to Guatemala. According to Krysta it was very “eye opening to see a society with little to no dental hygiene education.”  At this time, the Wetzel’s are preparing to go to Guatemala for three years and hope to leave in January 2011.  While there, Peter will apply and teach his trade of construction.  Krysta is hoping to set up a mobile dental clinic which will be available for other dental missionaries to provide care not only in the city in which they will live but in the outlying villages as well.  Someday, perhaps some of us will go to this clinic to help.  Part of the preparation for the trip is fundraising.  Fundraising is in part for the needs of the family but also to purchase equipment and supplies so that Peter and Krysta to make this mission succeed.  If you would like to make a tax-deductible donation on behalf of the Wetzel’s you can do so at their website: www.twigpage.com

When I asked Krysta if there was anything she could change she responded, "I wish I didn't have to work for a paycheck, just for the joy of it".  So is Krysta average in any way?  Sure, her favorite movie is The Notebook, she likes to hike and her favorite food is spaghetti!  Best wishes to the Wetzel’s.