In partnership with generous donors, Global Dental Relief offers three unique scholarships and financial aid opportunities for volunteers with an added emphasis on pre-dental and pre-dental hygiene students, and women in dentistry. All interested volunteers – *not just students!* – are encouraged to apply for one or more financial assistance programs, regardless of occupation or background. *GDR will review all applications and match recipients into one of three programs: Cranberry USA, Women in Dentistry, or the GDR Scholarship.

Overseas dental clinics provide exciting opportunities for volunteers to combine adventure and service, providing free dental care and oral health education to children lacking access to care. We understand that financial restraints can be a barrier for some volunteers who wish to sign up. To overcome those barriers, GDR has developed a robust financial aid fund to award (15) $1,000 scholarships each year to interested volunteers.

For students, clinics are a particularly rewarding experience to gain hands-on knowledge in the field of dentistry. Each project gives students of all kinds the opportunity to witness the power of restoring smiles, while gaining firsthand experience and advice from dental mentors.

Scholarships
Cranberry Scholarship ($1,000)

Eligible applicants include pre-dental students, pre-dental hygiene students and recent college graduates who are applying to dental school.

This scholarship is awarded in two separate installments. Successful applicants will receive a $750 scholarship to be applied to towards their GDR project expenses, as well as an additional $250 cash upon acceptance into dental or hygiene school.

Women in Dentistry Scholarship ($1,000)

Women and communities of color have long been underrepresented in fields of medicine, especially dentistry. In hopes of addressing this gap, a generous Global Dental Relief donor has sponsored a scholarship program for women and communities of color pursuing a future in the field of dentistry.

GDR Scholarship ($1,000)

Global Dental Relief believes everyone should have the opportunity to experience an adventure in service. For a lot of people, cost is the main barrier preventing them from joining a volunteer abroad program. To counteract this, we are encouraging all volunteers who need financial assistance to apply, regardless of occupation or background.

Apply Here

Successful applicants will be awarded a $1,000 scholarship to join a Global Dental Relief project of their choice (given availability).

All scholarship recipients are responsible for any remaining balances due to GDR, as well as round-trip international airfare.

Wolfgang Pfannenstiel

What Volunteers Say

After my first dental volunteer trip I was sure to do this continuously no matter what! This is helping kids in need effectively. This is having enjoyable conversations with new friends. This is creating unforgettable memories. So in my specific case the letters GDR stand for the German Dentist Returns :)”

- Wolfgang Pfannenstiel, Dentist, Germany

Darshani Khosla

What Partners Say

Global Dental Relief makes sure children are receiving continuous care and that clinics are run efficiently and with the highest ethical standards. They take care of every detail on your service trip — I plan to volunteer with them for years to come!

- Darshani Khosla, Dentist, Texas

Carol Lim

What Volunteers Say

Thank you Global Dental Relief! Nothing compares to the efforts and impact of your volunteer overseas programs, working hard to bring healthy smiles to children.

- Carol Lim, Vice President of Business Development, Cranberry U.S.A

TJ Gabriels

What Volunteers Say

I plan my whole year around these opportunities to volunteer abroad. I love travel with a purpose, being more than a tourist and making a small, positive mark in the world. This organization has allowed me to get out of my comfort zone and has really helped broaden my world view.

- TJ Gabriels, Lawyer and General Volunteer, New York

Michael Pasoff

What Volunteers Say

As a dentist, I have treated and cared for many patients, however, nothing can compare to the sense of fulfilment when volunteering your time and skill to ease the pain and suffering of others. It never ceases to amaze me what can be accomplished when surrounded by dedicated, caring and talented volunteers, such as those I met in past international dental clinics with GDR.

- Michael Pasoff, Dentist, Montreal, Canada

Nour Shehadeh

What Volunteers Say

I am honored and grateful to help these amazing children, meet incredible people, explore their culture and change children's lives for the better. I look forward to many service trips with GDR in the future.

- Nour Shehadeh, Dental Hygienist, Illinois

Peggy Lamm

What Volunteers Say

If you want to literally change lives, this is a great way to do that. Our work with Global Dental Relief produced more real good than all the other cumulative good works I've helped with through the rest of my life.

- Peggy Lamm, CEO Colorado Mesa University Foundation and General Volunteer, Colorado