"WE MAKE a living by what we get, but we make a life by what we give," said Reggie Jopson, the chief dentist of R. Jopson Family Dental Clinic.
Jopson hailed from a family of dentists with the same passion to help the underserved. From his great grandfather to his mother, giving back to the community by providing free dental clinic for the less fortunate has been their advocacy.
"I knew I had to make a difference in the community through our dental profession," said Jopson, a father of four daughters, one of whom is also pursuing dentistry. He was just 14 years old when he decided he wanted to be a dentist.
"When I meet children and adults in a community or area that never had their own toothbrush or never received any dental care, I know I can do something," the 56-year-old dentist.
Jopson became a professional dentist on 1985 after finishing Dental Medicine in Manila Central University. Jopson used to be a basketball varsity player while studying his preparatory course for dentistry in Ateneo de Davao University (AdDU).
For 30 years and counting, Jopson volunteered to provide free dental services to underserved individuals in countless communities in Mindanao.
Among them were the Medical and Dental Outreach Program with Freedom Philippines in coordination of Task Force (TF) Davao and other medical professionals to provide the community of Talomo District the dental and medical services they needed.
He also volunteered for the Tri-Medical Mission (medical, dental and optical services) in partnership with TF Davao, City Health Office Davao (CHOD), Davao Doctor's College (DDC) and Rotary Club of Sta. Ana.
"We did a team-up to provide the community of Mintal free medical, dental, and optical services," Jopson said.
The latest mission he took part in was the Bayanihan 1st Medical Mission on April 21 in Lumondao Elementary School in Marilog District. The mission was in coordination with the TF Davao and a Taiwanese pastor and their church with the purpose of providing free medical check-up, dental check-up and operation "tuli."
"I will continue doing my love for dentistry and passion for community service and making a positive change in the lives of the Filipino people," he said.