do dental schools view these mission trips as negatives though? or is it dependent on what you did during the mission trips?
I don't see how they could
possibly view such a trip as a negative, unless you're going to "play doctor" and get in some extra "practice" before setting off to dental school. Sure, you could just send the money, but even from a personal standpoint, these sorts of trips can be life-changing. Going on such a trip could instill in a person a lifelong desire to help others that they may not have otherwise gained.
I'm going on a mission trip myself. After reading these forums, I was actually sort of terrified to do so. I no longer feel this way. Sure, I don't think schools look at these trips and say, "OMG! ACCEPTED!," but why would they hurt you? Schools want you to actively get out and
serve. I could just send money to the NC MOM clinics in my area to help--I'm sure, for example, they could use it to get more supplies for dentists to perform complex procedures, which I feel is quite possibly more helpful in the grand scheme than the sterilization or suctioning I'm able to do for a hygienist. They want me to volunteer, though, and I am more than happy and very glad to do so. I'm not qualified to help in all the capacities I'd really like to, but I will totally be going back and doing more when I can. Oh, and there isn't a "charitable donation" spot on our applications, after all. They want to see a demonstrated commitment to helping others.
I called up ECU and asked them point-blank what they thought about these sorts of experiences. They said they viewed them highly, but that they were running into problems with students going overseas and doing procedures that only a licensed dentist should do. So long as I didn't do these sorts of things, they assured me, there was no problem whatsoever in going on a mission trip.
So, there's my two cents. If you're compelled to go, then I say do it! If not, though, there's absolutely nothing wrong with helping out locally. I'd just like to do both.
🙂
