If you volunteered abroad, what program did you do it through?

[Undecipherable]

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Aside from your school programs, have you come across or used other ones? It seems like most have a program fee (varying depending on the length of the trip and doesn't include the cost of a plane ticket, I think). This is the pre-dent section so, obviously, most opportunities aren't going to jump the line across merely observing dentistry and raising awareness about dental health; but, that's precisely what I'm looking for.

I went through a few related threads but most didn't have many replies. 😳

 

[wizi]

Aside from your school programs, have you come across or used other ones? It seems like most have a program fee (varying depending on the length of the trip and doesn't include the cost of a plane ticket, I think). This is the pre-dent section so, obviously, most opportunities aren't going to jump the line across merely observing dentistry and raising awareness about dental health; but, that's precisely what I'm looking for.

I went through a few related threads but most didn't have many replies. 😳

I am going to do one on Spring Break. You can check this one out at http://www.vidavolunteertravel.org/

I estimate the total cost should be around $2500 🙂

 

[DesertSonata]

There's a few that I cam across, but they are a bit expensive:

http://www.projects-abroad.org
http://www.islonline.org/

I really want to do one of those. I think the projects abroad requires that you know the language of that country.

 

[amanda9717]

I am going to do one on Spring Break. You can check this one out at http://www.vidavolunteertravel.org/

I estimate the total cost should be around $2500 🙂

I went on a VIDA trip during my junior year and it was great. PM me if you have any questions about it.

 

[Undecipherable]

Gah! Those are so expensive. 🙁

 

[wizi]

Gah! Those are so expensive. 🙁

That's what I thought when I first saw the price. 😀

I think VIDA is the cheapest one I can find and I have heard good things about it.

 

[DesertSonata]

Gah! Those are so expensive. 🙁

They're are very expensive, but very worthwhile. If you have the time and money, do it. It's great learning experience and great service. I did one and really enjoyed the experience. Because of it, I'd like to do some major work once I'm a dentist. It's very refreshing. You're really going there for selfless reasons, putting your time, effort, and money to those in need. It'll make you appreciate your life and people more so than you did.

 

[Undecipherable]

That's what I thought when I first saw the price. 😀

I think VIDA is the cheapest one I can find and I have heard good things about it.

They're are very expensive, but very worthwhile. If you have the time and money, do it. It's great learning experience and great service. I did one and really enjoyed the experience. Because of it, I'd like to do some major work once I'm a dentist. It's very refreshing. You're really going there for selfless reasons, putting your time, effort, and money to those in need. It'll make you appreciate your life and people more so than you did.

Alright! Thanks, guys. The biggest thing I wanted to see here was that I wasn't getting scammed by volunteer agencies. From this thread, I've concluded they all charge a hefty amount, but I guess it's merely a small hoop to jump through for people who really want to do it. I'm only going to get to do it once 🙁. I know people who have done it a couple times prior to applying to dental schools. Wish I could do that. Awesome, though - thanks for all the info in here.

I would love it if more people with experience post! 😀

 

[cottonschwab217]

I would be very cautious about getting involved with any of those types of programs. A lot of admissions offices look on that type of stuff as unethical because uneducated PRE-dental students with no prior training are performing hands on (extractions, drillings, etc.) dental work. It is almost like you are leaving your country in order to get hands on experience that would not be anywhere near legal in your home country. I have had 2 interviews thus far where the presenter brought this up and explained how absurd it is and how foolish students look when they talk about it in their interviews because it reflects so badly on them.

 

[trixr4kids0001]

I went to Nicaragua with ISL and it was awesome! Yes, some dental schools frown upon them, but they really open your eyes. You are not really doing the work because there is a native dentist performing all of the procedures. People that bring up procedures they've done in foreign countries are just asking for a rejection letter lol.

 

[Undecipherable]

I would be very cautious about getting involved with any of those types of programs. A lot of admissions offices look on that type of stuff as unethical because uneducated PRE-dental students with no prior training are performing hands on (extractions, drillings, etc.) dental work. It is almost like you are leaving your country in order to get hands on experience that would not be anywhere near legal in your home country. I have had 2 interviews thus far where the presenter brought this up and explained how absurd it is and how foolish students look when they talk about it in their interviews because it reflects so badly on them.

This is a very good point. Although, I think anyone who goes into volunteering abroad with the intent to perform tasks they would not otherwise be certified to perform in the United States would be just plain dumb. You did shed a light in a different perscpective for me, though, because I had not thought about this before - so thank you. Otherwise, I can proudly say the only reasons I want to volunteer abroad are 1) to raise awareness about dental health in underprivileged societies (while simultaneously shadowing native dentists...the same way I would in the U.S.) and 2) to get that tiny bit of extra edge not only on my application but also in having "that" different experience (because, essentially, it's not all about resume-building. I want to have some nice experiences in my life, too.)

I presume you would not think it is worth taking the risk based on your interview experiences...am I right? Do you think it is worth the risk having to justify your reasoning to volunteer abroad in front of an interview panel that clearly frowns upon it?

I went to Nicaragua with ISL and it was awesome! Yes, some dental schools frown upon them, but they really open your eyes. You are not really doing the work because there is a native dentist performing all of the procedures. People that bring up procedures they've done in foreign countries are just asking for a rejection letter lol.

Hey! Awesome - thanks for responding. Lol yeah, like I was telling cottonschwab217, anyone who goes abroad to do things they wouldn't be able to do in the U.S. and think interview committees will give you a pat on the back for it is not smart. Now I'm wondering about how useless or helpful it would be to justify your [genuine] reasoning for volunteering abroad to a panel during an interview and the difficulty of trying to prove you really did it for the "right" reasons.

 

[nlbaker7]

I went to Cusco, Peru with IVHQ for 3 months for something like $1700, that included housing and 3 meals a day (not airfare though). I would highly recommend them! PM me with questions

 

[wizi]

I went to Cusco, Peru with IVHQ for 3 months for something like $1700, that included housing and 3 meals a day (not airfare though). I would highly recommend them! PM me with questions

What did you do over there?

 

[Ragekage]

rescuehumanity.com

They go to Nepal every October where they have a medical and dental clinic set up in various remote regions as well as a program to help a couple orphanages in Kathmandu with their dentistry.

Its an absolutely amazing experience, but not cheap. Aside from the flight its a few grand.

PM me if you are interested to join it for next year (they are currently in Nepal for this year's trip). I work for the dentist that organizes the dental side of the operation.

 

[RSalha17]

Have you guys heard of Global Brigades? Depends on which school you do it through but I am part of the Global Dental Brigades UW chapter and I absolutely love it. Ethical, hands on work helping communites. We went to Panama about a month ago and it was amazing! Just a thought, look into it if you want.