About Punta Abreojos:

Punta Abreojos is a sleepy, little fishing village 560 miles south of the Tijuana/San Diego U.S. border. Population is around 1250 residents. It is 52 miles off of Mexico highway 1 which is now paved all of the way into town. To get there requires a 13 hour arduous drive from the border, or a 3-4 hour private plane flight to the mile long airstrip.

The main industry in town is with the local fishing cooperative "Punta Abreojos Cooperativa." Fish, abalone, lobster, oysters, clams, and scallops make up most of the catch. The town's people are, for the most part, very ecologically conscious about their fishing industry and land. The "Cooperativa" has been certified as a sustainable fishery.

Punta Abreojos, first named before Cabrillo in the mid 1600's, was founded in the 1930's by four families. Water was trucked in from San Ignacio. Now there is a desalinization plant. Many of the high school graduates leave to La Paz or Ensenada to find work. Some return for the peace and tranquil life that personifies this town. The people are friendly, laid back, humorous, and always willing to lend a hand.

Tourism

Although not a big source of revenue for the town, there are a significant number of visitors to Punta Abreojos. This is expected to grow because of the completion of the paved road from Mexico Highway 1. Most tourists are either, surfers or fishermen, the two main attractions. Other activities include, whale watching, bird watching, wind surfing and kite boarding, boogie boarding, ATV,s and shell collecting.

There are two motels in town and several small restaurants. A Pemex gas station is almost completed. There are currently two or three full time north Americans living in town and several part timers. Along the point new homes are being built along the beach. Lots begun being sold in 1992 and there are still only 20 homes or so along the beach.

Why A Dental Clinic?

The people of Abreojos have enriched my life, built me a beautiful home, and have become lifelong friends. Every trip the townspeople share with me the difficulty in obtaining dental care, and the time and expense they have to endure to travel to faraway towns for often unsatisfactory results. I wanted to help them, so I set up a two chair clinic in my home and began seeing patients.

What I found were young children in pain and with rampant decay. Also, I found people with broken and super glued dentures. I knew after I saw these conditions that I would need help, and lots of it. So, I began looking for volunteer groups that I could invite to use my home and dental chairs to begin making a dent in this huge public health problem. Flying Samaritan's already had their hands full serving their existing towns. I found that Los Medicos Voladores had already had trips to Abreojos and were planning more. I joined the Reno Chapter of LMV and made my first trip with them February 21st, 2009. We treated 44 patients in 1.25 days and performed many extractions and fillings for these people. The townspeople, the mayor Lupita Mejia, and patients were very appreciative. On my last visit some of the patients said they were, "muy contentos" with their teeth and care from LMV.

It is my deepest hope and wish that we together can make all the citizens of Abreojos "muy contento." And, you know, they will become your lifelong friends also. They will never forget you! And you will never forget the experiences you had in this town. After my first visit in 1992, because of my experiences there, I knew I had to start a family! In May of 1993 my wife and I had our first child, Kayla. It did change me, forever. My life is here in Vista California, but my heart is always in Abreojos. I have been going to Abreojos yearly ever since. Lately, it has become once every two months.

Let's make a difference. Let's make it happen!

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