In July of 2024, Paula Chebat traveled to San Martin village in Guatemala with a crew of Global Dental Relief trip leaders and volunteers – including dentists, hygienists, assistants, students and general volunteers.  Paula discovered GDR through an online search, looking to use her expertise as a dental hygienist to give back to underserved communities.

We hope you enjoy reading about her experience below! To learn more about our opportunities to volunteer abroad, contact GDR today.

1. Describe your experience working in the clinic.

As a dental hygienist in the clinic, my role was to follow the scopes of practice outlined by the state of California, where I hold my license. Each day began with breakfast at a local restaurant run by Cristy, who coordinated our work with the school children. My schedule typically involved clinic hours from 8:30 to 12:30pm, followed by a lunch break at Cristy’s, and an afternoon session from 1-4pm.

After clinic hours, we would enjoy dinner at Cristy’s before heading back to the hotel to freshen up. Evenings were spent playing cards together until bedtime, fostering a sense of camaraderie among the team.

Some days, we explored the local market or took scenic truck rides around town, which added to the experience. The interactions with the students were the highlight of my work. Despite my limited Spanish, we connected through laughter and empathy. One child made me a bracelet with a tooth on it as a thank you, and I still wear it today. This gesture was a touching reminder of the impact we can have on the communities we serve.

2. What was your biggest takeaway from volunteering with Global Dental Relief?

Volunteering with Global Dental Relief was a transformative experience, and my biggest takeaway was the profound impact of providing dental care in underserved communities. The opportunity to help children who otherwise would not have access to dental services highlighted the importance of oral health in overall well-being. Despite language barriers, I learned that empathy and kindness transcend words, allowing me to connect with patients on a personal level.

Working alongside dedicated professionals and local organizers taught me the value of teamwork and adaptability. Each day presented new challenges, from limited resources to navigating cultural differences, yet our collective commitment to making a difference kept us motivated. The gratitude and resilience of the children and their families were incredibly moving, and their appreciation reinforced my passion for dental care.

Additionally, the experience deepened my understanding of global health disparities and the crucial role of volunteer work in addressing these gaps. It reminded me that even small acts of service can create lasting change. This experience inspired me to continue seeking opportunities to volunteer and advocate for improved access to dental care worldwide.

3. How did this opportunity impact you? How will this experience impact your dental hygiene career?

Volunteering with Global Dental Relief had a profound impact on me, both personally and professionally. This experience deepened my appreciation for the importance of dental care in local and global health and highlighted the disparities in access to such services. Witnessing firsthand the difference that dental care can make in underserved communities reinforced my commitment to providing compassionate and comprehensive care to all patients.

This opportunity also taught me invaluable lessons in adaptability and cultural sensitivity. Working in a different environment with limited resources required me to think creatively and develop efficient solutions. These skills will be crucial as I advance in my dental career, allowing me to better serve a diverse patient population and navigate various challenges with flexibility and empathy.

The experience also strengthened my communication skills, as I learned to connect with patients despite language barriers. Building rapport through empathy and nonverbal communication has enriched my approach to patient care and will continue to enhance my interactions in the dental field.

Overall, this volunteer work has inspired me to seek further opportunities for service and advocacy, aiming to make a meaningful impact on oral health disparities worldwide and ensure that all individuals have access to quality dental care.

The post Providing Dental Hygiene Services in Underserved Communities first appeared on Global Dental Relief.

Theresa arrived in Antigua, Guatemala, not sure what volunteering would look like. This was nothing like past “vacations” where you sit on a beach and drink margaritas. She had a different focus in mind – to help children in the Guatemalan Highlands live happier, healthier lives.

Theresa Tran, RDH got her degree in hygiene from the Community College of Denver in the spring of 2012. She always dreamed of using her education for a greater good. When she learned about Global Dental Relief — a Colorado-based non-profit that sends volunteers overseas to provide dental care — there was no question that she wanted to sign up for a trip!

That was six years ago. Since then, Theresa has volunteered in Nepal, Cambodia and Kenya with Global Dental Relief, sharing her passion and skills with children around the world.

Theresa pictured with children in Guatemala.

This spring she will return to Guatemala with a team of five dentists, two other hygienists and a handful of general. The mission – to help 700 children improve their oral health. The team will spend the week giving dental exams, cleanings, restorations and extractions, to children who otherwise lack access or resources to receive dental care.

Theresa reflects: “Every time I volunteer with GDR, I feel grateful being part of a team that extends the quality of life for so many children, for their families, and even the village. I believe that we provide more than just a visit to the dentist. We are making an impact that extends from one child to another, from one family to another.”

Like Theresa, Kathy Pidcock, RDH was looking to share her specialty with the world, to do something bigger than herself. Kathy entered the healthcare industry over thirty years ago with the aim to help people become healthier through education and good oral habits. Deep inside she always wanted to reach people who would never experience the dental care that so many of us take for granted.

As a hygienist, Kathy found this opportunity through GDR, first in Guatemala in 2014 and then in Kenya and Nepal. One of the things that struck Kathy as both a volunteer and trip leader is that all dental equipment and supplies are provided, volunteers only need to bring their enthusiasm and open hearts to the clinic.

Kathy pictured with patient and local assistant in Nepal.

“Working with Global Dental Relief was easy; the group is so well organized,” Kathy says. “I was completely at ease traveling to Guatemala for my first volunteer experience. I have since returned to Guatemala three times, first as a volunteer and now as a trip leader. I highly recommend this organization to fulfill a dream of being part of helping children with their oral health.”

As a trip leader, she flies in a few days before the volunteers to set up the clinic and ensure populations of children are ready to be seen. The result is a well-oiled machine, in which 100 plus children receive complete dental care each day.

After a week of hard work and many smiles, volunteers who arrived strangers, are now lifelong friends, connected by their common mission to help children live happier, healthier lives.

Sarah Muller, another Colorado hygienist learned about GDR at the Rocky Mountain Dental Convention. She was moved by the stories of past volunteers and wanted to be involved in travel that gives back. With GDR’s 22 clinics a year in Nepal, India, Kenya, Cambodia and Guatemala, it was hard to know where to go first. The following spring, Sarah joined a Guatemala clinic reuniting with other volunteers who had been in Nepal.

“I highly recommend any dental professional to do this at some point in their lives. It’s truly an incredible feeling when you find out how many children’s lives you have influenced just by volunteering for a week. It is also a wonderful way to experience different cultures and do some traveling. I love that GDR always has the option after clinic to do something cultural and open your eyes to many ways of life. Guatemala was a trip of a lifetime!”

Sarah pictured with children in Guatemala.

These three Colorado humanitarians echo the same sentiment — “There is nothing like witnessing firsthand the difference dental care can make in a child’s life. It’s a gift you have that can change the lives of thousands of children for the better. What are you waiting for?”

You can join Theresa in Guatemala this fall, or Kathy in Guatemala in July –don’t wait! Join us and see the world as you’ve never seen it before! You don’t have to be a dentist to volunteer!

For more information on volunteer opportunities, visit our Global Dental Relief website at: www.globaldentalrelief.org, email: volunteer@globaldentalrelief.org or call 303-858-8857.

The post Colorado Dental Hygienists Help Children in Need in Guatemala first appeared on Global Dental Relief.