Browse all service opportunities below…
100 Humanitarians International
100 Humanitarians International is focused on helping people in Kenya, Africa. Their mission is to mentor families globally through self-reliance, education and entrepreneurship in an effort to eliminate physical, mental, spiritual and emotional poverty, while preserving
culture and tradition.
They set themselves apart somewhat because they provide both preplanned trips as well as having the option of customizing a trip for interested dental care providers.
With the reports of Covid related travel restrictions to and from Africa we reached out to 100 Humanitarians to ask if this is having an effect on their trips. According to Heidi with 100 Humanitarians the restrictions are not affecting their humanitarian trips to Kenya. As of now you just have to have a negative Covid test to get in or out of Kenya. As always, this is a rapidly changing situation and you should verify the most current information before making plans.
Current planned trips are scheduled for June 2-11, 2023 (with a possible second trip in June 2023) and October 12-22nd, 2023.
- The Maasai Dental Clinic is run by the World Dental Health Organization. Their goal is to have two dentists there year-round, with a minimum of two weeks on site (preferably longer.) They have most of the equipment needed, but their clinic is a challenge to get to. They do have on-site housing for the dentists. The one that we met had been there for a couple of months and was from Israel. Since they only need two dentists and the service time is longer they are currently booked out for quite a few months.
- The Nkoilale Health Center is basically a building for medical and dental professionals to work in. There is no equipment, so it would need to be rented or brought in and stored by us. (The Academy can help with portable dental units). The Nkoilale Health Center is close by the 100 Humanitarians guest house. Two members of the 100 Humanitarian team were instrumental in helping it get built. It does not have housing, so we would facilitate all of that. For families who want to come for a shorter trip (10-12 days) this would be a better option. We could arrange service projects for the families to do while the dentists are at the health center. This trip would be great for more preventative care like teeth cleanings.
They are also on Facebook with a page and a group, where we post daily updates on the projects that we are working on.
For more information or to get involved contact Heidi Totten, Executive Director: 801.414.1564 or by email at heidi@100humanitarians.com
Ayuda Humanitarian
AYUDA [which means help in Spanish] has been providing humanitarian service for over 3 decades. Spencer W. Kimball requested the formation of AYUDA as a means of serving where there was a huge need that the Church was not able to meet.
Ayuda members have served in many different countries throughout the world. Most recently, we have focused on the Dominican Republic.
Ayuda has a trip scheduled for June 19-22, 2023. For more information on this trip or if you are interested in serving with AYUDA HUMANITARIAN on future trips, please contact:
Dr. Craig Smith at uscendo@yahoo.com or 801.361.3287
1/11/23
Charity Anywhere Foundation
Mission Statement
Charity Anywhere Foundation’s mission is to give ordinary people the life-changing opportunity to provide needed medical care, dental services as well as help construct basic shelter in less developed countries in the most economical way possible, while concurrently forever changing the mind and heart of the volunteer for good.
Charity Anywhere Foundation has provided service in many locations including; Tijuana, Ecuador, Dominican Republic and Guatemala.
serve Archidona in the Amazon Jungle and then to the Galapagos Islands. They served over 6000
people. There were 30 Ecuadorian doctors, nurses and dentists that worked side by side with the
American Team.
The teams worked 3 days in the Amazon area and then flew to Galapagos for 3 days. In each area
dental, medical, and pain clinics were provided.
The American doctors, dentists and nurses were from Utah, Texas, Washington and New Jersey. Dr.
Zambrano was the expedition leader.
While there, the volunteers were able to tour the grounds of the newly built Quito LDS Temple. That
temple was dedicated the day the group left for the Amazon area. The group took the newly completed
medical, dental mobile unit to the Amazon on its maiden expedition.
The team provided fluoride dental treatment for children and reading glasses for the elderly. Several
surgeries were performed. Numerous sturdy wheelchairs were delivered for the back country use.
Ressimax, from Logan, utah trained medical specialists and distributed many of their pain-relieving
devices.
This year a similar expedition is planned for April 15 to 25 and June 17 to 27. Charity Anywhere is taking applications at this time. The cost is $1850 per person which includes transportation in Ecuador and to and from the Galapagos Islands. Airfare must be provided by each volunteer to get to Quito and return to the states. Our fees include housing , meals and local transportation.
For more information on any of these opportunities please contact Gordon Carter with Charity Anywhere Foundation at 208-404-6304 or visit their website www.charityanywhere.org
Choice Humanitarian
CHOICE is a leadership organization that partners with rural communities around the world where villagers live on less than $1.25 a day. The CHOICE Humanitarian Leadership Model of village development empowers rural communities to create their own vision out of poverty. Since 1982, we have learned that leadership is everything. It’s the difference between villages succeeding or not succeeding. It’s the difference between full ownership or lack of it. Our approach integrates five core areas: economic development, health, education, environment, and culture.
Projects are used as tools to organize communities and mobilize resources to create long lasting change. The CHOICE approach is simple – native in-country staff mentor communities and their leaders by organizing and mobilizing them to create their own path out of poverty. On select expeditions, dental components can be included in the effort to promote sustainable impact.
Contact:
Steve Pierce
7879 S. 1530 West Suite 200
West Jordan, UT 84088
Phone: (801) 474-1937
Fax: (801) 474-1919
Dental Outreach Relief
2022 Baja Mexico Mission Trip: November 2-6, 2022 ($750 approximate cost includes Airfare to San Diego, Accommodations, Food, transportation)
2023 Kenya Dental Mission Trip March 10-25, 2023 ($2,750 approximate cost BEFORE fund-raising. Includes Airfare, Accommodations, Food, Transportation. Final cost to be determined by 12/31/2022)
For more information on either of these trips Contact Dr. Matt Jensen: 623-606-2217
www.dentaloutreachrelieffoundation.com
Full-time Dental Missions
Opportunities are available in a number of locations throughout the world for those who can commit 18 to 23 months and are prepared to serve as Area Dental Advisers for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. These Area Dental Advisers are called as full-time missionaries and serve as critical resources for the Area, providing care for:
- Missionaries entering the MTC that have been unable to receive basic dental care meeting mission standards,
- Currently serving missionaries who develop a critical problem during their missions, and
- Future missionaries preparing to serve.
Additionally, they work with Area Medical Advisers and Mission Nurses to properly triage emerging oral health needs with the missionaries and other missionary duties as may be assigned. The Ensign Academy of Dentistry (formerly the Academy of LDS Dentists) works with the Church to help provide resources for dental missionaries in different Church clinics throughout the world.
As dentists, we are uniquely skilled to provide this needed resource as part of the Bishop’s Storehouse, in furthering the Work of Salvation and hastening the work. The rewards of this level of consecrated service to the Lord are enormous, and you will feel His guiding hand on yours – both clinically and spiritually – as you serve as a full-time dental missionary. Language skills are helpful in some locations, but maintaining your dental license and your physical, spiritual, and financial health are the most critical elements necessary in order to serve.
The Senior Missionary Opportunities Bulletin (https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/callings/missionary/senior-missionary/senior-missionary-opportunities.pdf?lang=eng) provides details on the sites that are available. The Church currently has active programs in Guatemala, the Philippines, Tonga, Samoa, and is developing a site in Ghana. Please contact the specific Area Coordinator for the details regarding each location prior to contacting your bishop and stake president to prepare your missionary application.
For further information, contact Dr. Rich Call, DMD, MS, Senior Missionary Dental Care Services Coordinator, Central America Area (RLC.Call@gmail.com)
Dental Volunteers for Israel
UPDATE 1/26/21: DVI has remained open throughout the pandemic. During some lockdowns, we were only to provide emergency care and during that time our free dentures project for needy elderly and Holocaust survivors was temporarily suspended, however, even with the current lockdown, we are fully operational.
Given that DVI is staffed by international volunteers, you can imagine how difficult it has been to maintain our services without volunteers like the wonderful dentists coming through your organization. We have been blessed to identify a cadre of local volunteers who have stepped up to the plate and contributed to this mission which enabled us to provide almost dental treatments to close to 2,000 youth in 2020 despite the COVID new realities.
Volunteer Coordinator, International Relations
Dental Volunteers for Israel – DVI
29 Mekor Chaim, Jerusalem, Israel
Tel: 02-678-3101 x104
Fax: 02 678-4737
international@dental-dvi.org.
http://www.dental-dvi.org.il/
Dental Volunteers for Israel (DVI) Dental Volunteers for Israel provides free dental care and oral hygiene education to thousands of at-risk children and youth in Jerusalem every year, thanks to the benevolent support from our friends and visiting volunteer dentists from around the world.
DVI is a free-dental clinic, relying solely on the donated services of dentists who are willing to spend between one to four weeks in Jerusalem to bless the lives of poor Israeli and Palestinian children. Apartment provided at no cost. Clinic is state of the art. Dentists work four days a week 8:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m. This schedule leaves time available for seeing the city and touring country. This is a great service opportunity to help disadvantaged children and learn more about the Holy Land. We invite all dentists interested in volunteering to contact us to receive more information.
A Personal Note from Dr. Bruce Matis, Academy Member:
An excellent dental volunteering opportunity for LDS dentists is with Dental Volunteers for Israel (DVI). The clinic hosts three dentists per week at a well equipped and well staffed, five chair, dental clinic. DVI provides several housing options at no cost. The Ramat Eshkol Apartment, which can accommodate up to six guests, is close to the Brigham Young University Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies. The clinic has a four day work week from 8-1 with no patients on the Jewish Sabbath or on Wednesday or Friday. Restorative Care under rubber dam is provided to youth ages 4-18. All patients have been through a Preventive Program and commit themselves to adhering to it. Volunteering for DVI provides meaningful service to an underserved population and gives you and your guest(s) a generous amount of free time to explore and contemplate the significance of the Holy Land. I have served there for the past six years.
Dr. Bruce Matis and David Dr. Thomas Dickson
Dental Lifeline Network (Donated Dental Services Program)
Dental Lifeline Network is a national charitable organization whose mission is to improve the oral health of people with disabilities or who are elderly or medically fragile, and have no other way of getting the treatment they need. This is accomplished through a network of volunteer dentists and dental laboratories who generously donate their time and expertise through Dental Lifeline Network to provide lifechanging treatment to patients most in need. Dental Lifeline Network connects volunteers with patients, and handles all coordination so that volunteers can focus on treatment.
Since inception in 1985, over 167,000 participants have received lifechanging dental treatment through this program, bettering their quality of life in a variety of ways, including restored smiles and confidence, improved employment opportunities, and even clearing up infections to enable patients to receive lifesaving surgeries. If you are a dentist or a lab interested in providing charitable care to those in need, DLN wants your help. From clearing up painful dental infections and helping others eat again, volunteering with DLN will make a lifechanging difference. If you or your colleagues would like to volunteer to see one patient a year, you may sign up at WillYouSeeOne.org. Or, if you would like to donate to Dental Lifeline Network, visit DentalLifeline.org/Donate.
Donated Dental Services (DDS), a program of the Dental Lifeline Network (DLN), is a collaborative, direct way that the dental profession reaches out to our nation’s most vulnerable people; disabled, elderly or medically-compromised individuals who cannot afford necessary treatment nor get public aid such as Medicaid or Medicare. Dental professionals do this by volunteering their dental services at no charge.
Participation could not be easier. Dentists and labs take care of the patients. DLN’s Donated Dental Services program takes care of everything else.
“The altruistic activities of DLN are unprecedented:
- Needy patients are analyzed by a social worker before they even qualify to be assisted by DLN.
- You are given the opportunity to treat the patient in your own office free of charge.
- You are working in a familiar environment with your own employees.
- You do not have to travel.
- You can combine these patients on days that you are accomplishing your normal treatment.
- The patients are very reliable.
- If laboratory work is necessary, dental laboratories associated with DLN provide their services free of charge.
- Your services for the patient usually allows them to go back to work, become a normal citizen, get out of ill health, overcome threatening potential systemic maladies related to their oral disease, and very importantly regain self-esteem and well being.
- The payment for you is just as you would expect – profound gratitude, thanks beyond belief, and tears of joy.
Get involved, and you will be richly rewarded.” –Dr. Gordon Christensen
Sam Misleh is our new Manager of Volunteer Engagement & Affiliate Relations. He can be reached at smisleh@dentallifeline.org.
For more information about this program, please call 303.534.5360, visit dentallifeline.org, or view the following video: WHY VOLUNTEER
Click here to sign up as a volunteer
Global Dental Relief
About Global Dental Relief
In the past GDR has hosted 30 clinics a year in six countries: Guatemala, Kenya, India, Nepal, Cambodia and Mexico. Volunteer clinical work is combined with opportunities to explore local culture and participate in guided travel. To date, GDR has hosted more than 2,800 volunteers and treated over 180,000 children
Global Dental Relief is currently functioning and organizing trips. Contact them to find out what opportunities are available!
To read more about this and a full list of other service and humanitarian opportunities currently available through GDR: Click Here
To learn more about Global Dental Relief, visit www.globaldentalrelief.
Contact: Leah Grygleski at LeahGrygleski@globaldentalrelief.
Global Dental Partners
Ghana Make a Difference
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Hirsche Smiles Foundation
Guatemala & Peru
In 2021 Hirsche Smiles dental team was extremely sad to miss their first trip in over 20 years because of Covid-19. They are very excited to have two team planning trips to Guatemala this Spring in 2023! March 23rd-April 2nd and March 31st-April 9th.
They always welcome volunteers: dentists, hygienist, dental assistants and volunteers.
The dental team does have future plans for dental trips to Guatemala, Peru and hopefully new areas over the “big pond.” (Liberia, Philippines)
Hirsche Smiles contact person: Kathy Ross: rosskathyd@gmail.com or
A Bit of History about Hirsche Smiles Foundation:
Since 1998, dentists have been providing dental care to rural isolated Chorti Indian villages throughout the mountains of Western Guatemala. The Hirsche Smiles Foundation was started in 1990 by: Dr. Blayne L. Hirsche, plastic and reconstructive surgeon, and Dr. Michael Chandler, anesthesiologist.
In the fall of 2002, Dr. Hirsche and his wife, Sandy, were killed in a plane crash and in their honor, the foundation has continued as have the countless trips to the mountain lands of Guatemala.
The foundation and the great work that is done in Guatemala has continued. All team members are volunteers. The team’s capability is to do dental restorations, not just extractions. There are one to four trips a year to the interior of Guatemala.
Utilizing 4-wheel drive vehicles, teams of dentists, assistants, and other humanitarian workers set up portable chairs and dental units in rural schools and provide primary surgical and restorative care to first the children and then adults in the region. We work in conjunction with a local dentist from Chiquimula and local Chorti Indian support organizations. Recently the dental team has added a service team to its group. This group helps rebuild roofs, and walls in homes in remotes villages in the mountains.
Trips are in February/March and again in the fall of each year. Spanish language skills are helpful, but not mandatory. Trips are 7-10 days, costing about $1,200-$1500. These trips are incredibly rewarding in terms of the people you are with, both patients and providers.
To read an article written by Kathy Ross regarding their visit to Guatemala in 2012, CLICK HERE.
CONTACT: Hirsche Smiles Foundation (www.HirscheSmiles.
Kathy Ross, Hirsche Smiles Foundation Board of Directors. Phone: 801-376-7372 rosskathy
Hope Arising
Due to the pandemic Hope Arising is not planning to sponsor any upcoming humanitarian trips. Currently, Hope Arising is accepting hygiene, newborn, birthing and school kits. We will take these on our humanitarian trips to Ethiopia when they resume. If you’d like a list of what to include in these kits, please contact chantal@hopearising.org.
Hope Arising is a non-profit dedicated to empowering families to gain self-reliance in Dera, Ethiopia and surrounding areas. Founded in 2007, our organization is founded on a simple premise: That each child will live healthy, gain education and achieve economic self-reliance for a future of hope. Specifically, we support infrastructure projects, educational support, micro-enterprise, health care and sanitation training, AIDS awareness and prevention.
In the past we haven taken travel teams twice a year to provide free dental clinics to the people of Dera and the surrounding area. These clinics are crucial to providing dental services to people who would otherwise not be treated. People walk for days and stand in line for hours just for the privilege of seeing a dentist. In conjunction with this service, our native Ethiopian staff teach health and dental hygiene practices to over 75,000 students. This is currently funded by a Colgate grant.
When we are able to travel we are always looking for more dentists to fill this need! We also love to have hygienists and other non-dental profession family members come with us. Traveling with Hope Arising promises to enrich your own life as you save so many in need.
If you are interested in serving with Hope Arising, please contact:
Jennifer Dille 480-788-1746 or jend@hopearising.org
Pantry Smiles – Brigham City, Ut.
Pantry Smiles provides dental service to disadvantaged and in-need individuals in the Northern Utah area. They coordinate with a variety of humanitarian service organizations to help patrons get the dental assistance they need.
Contact: Lorna Koci – lornakoci@gmail.com
Salt Lake Donated Dental Services Clinic
In 1990 Dr. Ralph Montgomery recognized access to oral health care for the low-income and homeless within our community was nearly nonexistent. So many individuals and families were forced to go without much needed dental care. Often restorable teeth were extracted because there were simply no other options available. Dr. Montgomery believed that a healthy smile should not be limited to those with financial means. As a result, he founded Salt Lake Donated Dental Services (SLDDS).
To date, SLDDS offers a tremendous opportunity to give back to the communities we live in. The Salt Lake County clinic has five operating rooms, and the Davis County clinic offers a 10-operatory state-of-the-
Volunteering has never been easier! Dentists and hygienists are welcome to use the experienced and qualified dental assistants on staff or bring their own team. The clinic will schedule patients, provide equipment and materials, and maintain patient records. All you have to do is show up! The clinic is dedicated to working with the volunteers’ schedules and offers flexible hours: morning or afternoon shifts are available. All volunteer dental professionals are eligible for continuing education (CE) credits for the time they donate.
For more information about the opportunity and to schedule your next volunteer day, please contact Sasha Harvey, SLDDS’ Executive Director.
- Address: 1383 South 900 West, Ste. 128 Salt Lake City, UT 84104
- Email: volunteer@
donateddental.org - Website: www.donateddental.org
- Phone: 801-972-2747
Share a Smile
We provide free comprehensive dental care for the homeless and poor of Utah County from locations in Provo and American Fork. Patients are required to give community service for each dental visit they receive, giving back to the community for services rendered in their behalf. We have two fully supplied permanent clinics, supported by Henry Schein Practice Solutions. Volunteers come as often as their schedules will permit. We would love to have time donated by dentists, hygienists, and assistants. This is also a great place for retired dentists to continue to share their talents with the community.
Share a Smile has provided free dental services to the Utah County homeless and poor for over 15 years, and currently sees up to 600 new patients every year. We serve patient referrals from the Food and Care Coalition, Center for Women and Children in Crisis, Vocational Rehabilitation, Kids on the Move, Ability First, Wasatch Mental Health, Turning Point, Utah County Substance Abuse, Foothills Treatment, House of Hope, Chainbreakers, Alpine Recovery, and others. Our local partnerships for volunteer service include Utah Valley University Dental Hygiene program, Brigham Young University pre-dental, Utah Valley University pre-dental, and Roseman Dental School.
Volunteer dentists, hygienists, and assistants are always needed. For more information on how you can become involved, contact: Heather Hogue, info@shareasmile.net
Website: shareasmile.net
Mission Statement;
Share a Smile is committed to providing dental care and education to the less fortunate. We work to improve health and teach individuals new skills to better their quality of life and make them more self-sufficient. We feel that,“because (we) have been given much, we too must give.” As we help individuals, we can make the world a better place for all of us.
Smiles for Latin America
Smiles for Latin America provides a great opportunity for you to use your skills and capabilities to serve others. Our expeditions are well-organized and fulfilling. Not only will you be able to help in our clinics but you will also get the chance to participate in a separate humanitarian project, and enjoy an excursion to experience more of the country where you’re serving. Be part of a team that provides dental and medical services to help prepare young Latter-day Saint men and women in Latin America to serve full-time LDS missions. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to participate in humanitarian projects and take time to experience the countries we visit. To join us visit our website
Smile Power
International Smile Power Foundation organizes trips to Jamaica, Bolivia, Guatamala, Uganda, Nepal and the Cook Islands and other areas in the South Pacific Trips are mostly dental with invitations for all interested to apply such as assistants, or a spouse who may have little or no dental experience since there is much to be done.
Minimum time commitment is one week in areas that are relatively close such as Jamaica , or 2-3 weeks in areas that are more distant such as the South Pacific or Nepal .
Contact:
smilepower@smilepower.org
smilepower.org
704-228th Ave. N.E. #204
Sammamish, WA 98074