In 2018, BP Dental, a generous Global Dental Relief sponsor, channeled their efforts and energy to help bring dental care to children in need in India and Cambodia. BP Dental volunteers traveled with excitement and anticipation on a mission to change the lives of children in India and Cambodia.

As a first-time volunteer with Global Dental Relief, it’s hard to know what to expect. If you’ve never traveled internationally, or volunteered overseas before, it may seem a bit overwhelming. Will the children like me? I wonder what the other volunteers are like?

If you’ve ever wondered the same thing, read on to hear from first-time volunteers and BP Dental staff members who recently joined Global Dental Relief in Cambodia and India.

Kirsty Johnson, General Volunteer
“In September, on behalf of BP Dental, I had the amazing opportunity to fly to Leh, Ladakh, for two weeks to serve in a Global Dental Relief mission where we assisted dentists in treating the kids of the village. For some kids, it was their first time ever being seen by a dentist. Not knowing what to expect, they all came in as brave as can be and happy to see we were there to help. They were friendly, kind and so welcoming. I grew to love the people and the culture.

I learned how to assist the dentists by mixing amalgam, charting treatment plans during intake. I even got to apply fluoride on the kids’ teeth after their treatment was finished. While applying fluoride, I would teach them about proper nutrition and remind them of the importance of a healthy smile using fun images and props.

I look at everything a bit differently now and feel more humbled. I really admired the bravery of the children, I truly believe they are far braver than me. They were all so sweet and grateful that we were there to help them. I got to experience something I never imagined, all while bettering the quality of life for these children. It is an unmeasurable feeling!”

Courtney Koester, General Volunteer

“One of the amazing things about GDR is their investment in particular communities. They return to see the same children every two years to continue the dental care and oral health education needed in this fundamental time period. I had the privilege of interviewing a few teenagers who had been coming to the clinic since the beginning. In these interviews, I was given a perspective of what kind of difference GDR has made in their lives. One young woman told me she still had her very first hot pink toothbrush that she keeps as a memory. She described the impact of the oral health education lessons and how proud she was, now at 15, to go in for her checkup and come out with a sheet that states “perfect teeth.” However, the most moving moment that I personally had in our conversation was when she told me she was planning to go to school to become a doctor. Witnessing this work and the benefits she’s seen firsthand for herself, her friends, and her community has inspired her to provide further healthcare for the people of Ladakh.

While that was one great takeaway, it’s almost impossible to boil down all the ways I’ve personally been impacted by these experiences. Hard to say in a small, handful of paragraphs the ways in which immersing oneself in different cultures changes your life. And, I say with full confidence, a part of my heart is still in Leh, Ladakh, India, and Siem Reap, Cambodia, and I feel it will always be.”

Christian Waisath, General Volunteer
“I had such a wonderful time with Global Dental Relief. To be honest, I was a little bit nervous because I don’t have any previous experience in the dental field … We had such a great time helping the local children, they were so brave and strong. It was so cool to experience another culture so different from my own. Thinking back, a day hasn’t gone by that I don’t think about my experiences with GDR. I can’t wait to do it again!”

Shauna Ferguson, General Volunteer
“This September I had the amazing opportunity to serve with GDR on a dental relief trip in Ladakh, India. It was such an amazing experience. The Ladakh area sits around 12,000 feet above sea level and was just beautiful! We worked with amazing dentists, dental assistants and hygienists. We were able to serve several school children and kept very busy the whole time. The children were so thankful for the dental work, and they loved making new friends. The experience of giving to children in need touched my heart in a way I will forever hold dear. We became a little family on a BIG adventure together!”

Based in Utah, BP Dental is a web design and digital marketing company, working with hundreds of dental offices around the United States. They have been working with GDR for almost 2 years now to provide a user-friendly website that helps spread the message of hope and service.

We would love for you to join us as a volunteer next year on one of our 26 clinics. And the best part, you don’t have to be a dentist to volunteer!

Email us at volunteer@globaldentalrelief.org today to find out how you can join forces with Global Dental Relief to bring free dental care to children in need around the world in 2019.

The post BP Dental Joins GDR in Ladakh and Siem Reap first appeared on Global Dental Relief.

• 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, and many don’t have toothbrushes or toothpaste at home. Who can resist the bright smiles on the children’s faces when you teach them how to brush their teeth or their courage while getting their first dental filling? If you’d like to learn more about what it might be like working at the clinic, you can read about the beautiful experience of Moni Basu of CNN who accompanied us to Ladakh in 2013.

• Pangong Lake – If you are sticking around for a few days after the clinic work is over, you’ll want to see this lake. It’s a gorgeous, massive lake situated in the midst of the Himalayan mountains at a height of more than 14,000 ft above sea level. You can rent a bike or even reach it by taxi. You’ll find Takthok and Chemeray monasteries on your way to or from the lake if you’re willing to take a slight detour.

• Nubra Valley – Anciently, this desert valley was called Ldumra, meaning “The Valley of Flowers.” It is situated in between the Ladakh and Karakoram Mountain Ranges and is about 10,000 ft above sea level. In this area you’ll find monasteries, white sand dunes, a hot spring, and even the opportunity to ride a camel.

• The Golden Triangle – An exotic journey through the state or Rajisthan that includes stops in Agra, home of the Taj Mahal and Jaipur, the famous Pink City. You can arrange your own itinerary, or GDR can help organize the details for you.

• Trek — Consider spending an additional five days after the clinic on a trek with others from Global Dental Relief. Our office can give you further details. Call us at 303-858-8857. Would you like a small taste of trekking in Ladakh before officially you decide to go? This BBC article will take you on a journey through the Markha Valley in the Himalayas

Do you have more questions about the trip? Check out our Ladakh itinerary here or call our office with additional questions. The Ladakh valley has only two dentists to serve 40,000 residents. Your commitment to volunteering will bring much needed dental care to hundreds of children – THANK YOU for choosing to make a difference!

The post The Top 5 Sights to See in Ladakh, India first appeared on Global Dental Relief.