Organized dentistry
Dental mission trip
A dental mission trip is a short volunteer trip, often abroad, in which dental professionals provide care in a place with limited access to dentists.
A dental mission trip sends dentists, hygienists, assistants and students to a community with few dental services. The American Dental Association keeps a calendar of international volunteer trips. It lists openings for dental professionals and students for one week to 12 weeks in countries such as Ecuador, Guatemala, Nepal, Peru and Tanzania.
Trip groups differ in length, cost, supervision and follow-up care. Ask each group how it plans for these items.
Volunteers should check licensing rules, malpractice coverage and the group's ethics policies before they go. A mission trip is separate from local donated care such as Donated Dental Services. Both are forms of dental advocacy for some teams.