Blog


A Trip for Everyone!

Posted .

By: Laurie Mathews Global Dental Relief takes volunteers to serve children in 10 locations within six countries.  We have a trip to suit everyone’s preferences!  Select from a wide range of trip styles, ranging from extravagant hotels and beach locations to remote, high mountain (and high adventure!) destinations. For the nearby adventurer, Mexico and Guatemala trips offer cultural immersion amidst... read more »

Celebrating Sarah Espinoza: Global Dental Relief’s first Women in Dentistry Scholarship Recipient!

Posted .

Global Dental Relief clinics provide a unique opportunity for dental students to gain hands-on experience in their chosen career field. Each project allows students the opportunity to witness the power of restoring the smile of a child, while gaining invaluable experience in the dental field. With the help of a generous donor, Global Dental Relief offers a Women in Dentistry... read more »

The Magic of GDR Cambodia Clinics by Trip Leader Andrea Swenson

Posted .

I love our Global Dental Relief clinics in Cambodia. There is something about Cambodia that is hard to quantify. Maybe it's the lovely warm, well actually hot, air, maybe it’s the green (I come from rather arid CA), maybe it’s the lovely people. I am not sure but it all adds up somehow to make it a place I want... read more »

All Volunteers Welcome!

Posted .

Are you interested in joining a Global Dental Relief clinic but aren’t from the United States? No problem! GDR welcomes volunteers from all over the globe on our dental volunteer projects. Each year, roughly ten percent of GDR volunteers come from borders beyond the United States. Global Dental Relief has hosted volunteers from Canada, Australia, New Zealand, Germany, Hungary, United... read more »

All Things Kentucky with Mark and Becky!

Posted .

In the fall of 2020, GDR launched our first domestic clinic in Jenkins, Kentucky. Since then, we've completed a total of seven clinics in this wonderful Appalachian community and treated over 800 patients. Mark Lisagor and Becky Bay, the Dynamic Duo, have already led three trips together this year, with another two scheduled in the spring of this coming year.... read more »

Food Scarcity Program – Fall 2021 Update

Posted .

Life has been 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. Approximately 20% of the children GDR serves in Nepal and Guatemala are suffering from a shortage of food. These are... read more »

4 REASONS TO VOLUNTEER WITH FAMILY!

Posted .

Global Dental Relief welcomes and works with volunteers from a wide range of careers and backgrounds. Beyond the dental field – lawyers, teachers, students and many other professionals join GDR teams across the globe, sharing the common purpose to improve the health of children. Regardless of professional and educational background, studies show that volunteering with your family leads to a... read more »

VOLUNTEER Q&A PT. 6: WENDY COLLMAR

Posted .

On this installment of Volunteer Q&A, we’re interviewing Wendy Collmar! Wendy first volunteered with Global Dental Relief in 2018 on a trip to Kenya. Her next clinic was the following year in Nepal. Flash forward to May of 2021, and she was a part of our inaugural Mexico clinic, which also happened to be GDR’s first international clinic since March... read more »

The Happier Dentist Podcast Featuring Peter Vanicek, Hosted by Jason Koh

Posted .

Dr. Peter Vanicek, our valued Clinic Coordinator and Trip Leader, is featured on Episode #2 of The Happier Dentist podcast by Jason Koh. The two doctors sit down for an engaging 45-minute conversation featuring stories of life-changing moments on GDR trips. If you’ve never traveled with us and would like to learn more about the experience, this is a perfect... read more »

10 ESSENTIAL TIPS TO FUNDRAISE YOUR GDR TRIP

Posted .

Interested in volunteering abroad, but not sure if the project fee fits into your budget? Fundraising is a viable option for those wanting to volunteer their time and expertise on a GDR clinic. We have had many volunteers achieve their fundraising goal and cover a portion - if not ALL - of their project expenses! If you’re new to fundraising,... read more »