As 2020 winds down, I reflect on what has been a year of firsts for GDR – our first pandemic, the first time we could not host a dental clinic for 8 months, and the first time we responded to an urgent humanitarian crisis – to feed the kids we serve, our first dental clinics in the U.S. and launching... read more »
For many years, Cranberry USA has supported GDR’s work of providing free dental care to children in need around the world. Cranberry USA’s dedication to this work is evidenced by their generous donations of dental supplies, clinic sponsorships and most recently providing scholarship opportunities for pre-dental and pre-dental hygiene students to join GDR clinics. Since 2017, Cranberry USA has provided... read more »
Three teams of GDR volunteers recently returned from Jenkins, Kentucky, where they provided much needed dental care to 308 people. Due to COVID-19, families had gone months without care, and many were in pain. Many residents commented how grateful they were that the dentists had traveled from across the country to help their community. GDR volunteers were equally enthusiastic and... read more »
It starts small – in July 2020, Global Dental Relief fed 56 families of children who attended our Nepal dental camps in the past. Feeding 56 families for a week cost only $14 a family - a small investment for such critical need. By September, GDR was feeding 250 families in Nepal and 250 children in local charity homes, the... read more »
Though we can’t travel overseas yet, Global Dental Relief is excited to announce a unique opportunity to volunteer domestically in the Kentucky Appalachia! GDR volunteers will work in SmileFaith’s four-chair clinic in Jenkins, KY, providing free dental care to underserved children, 53% of whom have untreated caries. Our volunteers are well equipped to meet this dental challenge! GDR’s Kentucky clinics... read more »
At any Global Dental Relief project, no matter where in the world, teachers are a vital partner. While often unseen by most of the GDR volunteers, teachers are one of our biggest allies and strong advocates on behalf of their students. Schools and teachers around the world have been impacted in many ways by the pandemic, but in many developing... read more »
Life is different for all of us under COVID-19. But for many in Nepal and other countries where Global Dental Relief works, the virus has led to a constant and desperate struggle to afford basic nutrition for a family. A mother in Nepal tells us, “Every morning I give my children as much black tea as I can to keep... read more »
My name is Jackie Wallowitch, and I’m a practicing dental hygienist in the state of New Jersey. I have been in practice since 2016, when I graduated with my associate degree. Since then I have received my bachelor’s degree and will be applying to dental school this summer! For fun, I love being outside and one of the favorite things... read more »
Dear GDR Family, Global Dental Relief has some exciting news! We are working on new initiatives to ensure sustained support for the children we serve. In the coming weeks, we will announce a new program to support the children who are near and dear to our hearts. While we wait for the right time to resume field work, we need... read more »
Last year, Jordan Lewart and his wife traveled to Cambodia to volunteer in our field dental clinic. Jordan, a dentist, and his wife, Bari who is general volunteer, spent six days working at our clinic outside of Siem Reap. Together with their team, they provided life-changing dental care to over 900 children in need! As a tribute to the children... read more »