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Join Us in Guatemala!
Posted on February 28, 2019.
Global Dental relief needs your help carrying out our mission in Guatemala this summer! We are currently looking for dental professionals to join us in San Martin in May and July/August! We have a space for dentists and hygienists to volunteer with us in a week-long clinic serving children in need with free dental care.
In 2007, Global Dental Relief began working in Guatemala, partnering with local communities to bring free dental care to children living in the Mayan Highlands. Since then, GDR has held 47 clinics in Guatemala, in which volunteers provided 32,000 children with free, comprehensive dental care.
Together with local partners, volunteer teams work to improve the oral health of children who otherwise would have no access to treatment.
During a six-day clinic, clinicians provide children from local schools and orphanages with complete dental treatment. Each child receives an exam, cleaning, and any fillings or extractions that are needed. Children return to the clinic for follow-up visits to ensure all necessary treatment is complete.
Each trip also includes two days of optional sightseeing to explore more of the country!
After a week of work, volunteers return to Antigua for a weekend of adventure. Volunteers can choose to tour a local coffee plantation or zip line through the Guatemalan rainforest!
While in Antigua, volunteers can also explore Central Park which is a hotspot for many tourists. Religious and government structures provide a history of the capital status it once held. Small museums provide further in-depth information about the culture and history of this ancient city.
If you’re a dental professional with a desire to improve the oral health of children in need we want to hear from you! We are looking for energetic dentists and hygienists to join us in Guatemala this summer for a life-changing adventure.
The clinic dates listed below:
- May 24 – June 2, 2019
- May 31 – June 9, 2019
- July 19 – 28, 2019
- July 26 – August 4, 2019
- August 2- 13, 2019 (optional sightseeing to Belize after!)
Applying to volunteer is easy! Click here to fill out a volunteer application. Upon submission, one of our Country Coordinators will be in touch with all the necessary details! (Packing lists, visa requirements, travel dates, personal itinerary, etc.)
Our mission is simple, we provide free dental care to children in need around the globe. Email us today for more information.
Global Dental Relief Fall 2017 Newsletter
Dear Friends,
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As we turn the corner into fall GDR volunteers are heading off to a slew of programs in Nepal – 3 clinics plus two remote trips – and our final Cambodia trips in November. It has been a productive year and one to celebrate. This year GDR volunteers will serve 19,000 children – a 13% increase in children served!
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Last month we celebrated at the GDR Annual Party – a fun,
... Read more » Empowering the Next Generation of Health Professionals
Eiryn Waldman didn’t fully understand what she was getting herself in to when she applied for and won the annual HOSA (Health Occupation Students of America) Scholarship to participate in a humanitarian trip to Guatemala with Global Dental Relief. But she knew she had an interest in dentistry and in helping kids live healthier lives. Eiryn traveled to Guatemala where she met fellow GDR volunteers and together they continued out to San Martin Jilotepeque – a small village situated in the Mayan Highlands.
... Read more »The Global Dental Relief Model of Care
When Global Dental Relief first began working in Nepal in 2001, its founders envisioned bringing dental care to people in less fortunate countries. That vision was quickly refined to focus specifically on children. Here’s why:
1. Educational impact. We are able to educate and instill oral health awareness and habits in children before decay sets in. Each time a child enters a GDR clinic, they learn why to brush, how to brush and the effects that diet has on their teeth.
... Read more »Commonly Asked Questions About Volunteers on a GDR Clinic.
You’re passionate about making a difference. You love adventure. You enjoy helping children. Fantastic! We need you. Volunteers like you are the lifeblood of our organization. Before you fully commit, we want you to feel confident that this is truly right for you. That’s why we’ve answered a few important questions prospective volunteers commonly ask when considering whether to join a dental clinic:
What skills do I need?
Your most valuable assets are an open mind,
... Read more »The Top 5 Sights to See in Ladakh, India
So you’re coming with us to Ladakh. We’re so happy! Are you thinking of extending your trip to see more of the area? If so, here are some opportunities you won’t want to miss:
• The Children – Because you are going on this trip, you’ll have an opportunity to experience a part of Leh that no tourists will see: the children who come to our clinic. Most of these children have never had the opportunity to meet with a dentist before,
... Read more »
