Medical/Dental Mission Trips

[Bose13]

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Curious to know if any of you have been on any medical/dental mission trips in third world countries?

 

[hokiedds]

I've been on 12 and counting to Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Domincan Republic. Its an absolutely amazing experience and will change your life...I'd highly recommend it to anyone who gets the chance to go.

 

[Bose13]

I've been on 12 and counting to Mexico, Peru, Nicaragua, Honduras, and the Domincan Republic. Its an absolutely amazing experience and will change your life...I'd highly recommend it to anyone who gets the chance to go.

Yeah, I went to Guatemala back in March. It confirmed my decision to go into dentistry. Did you give injections and pull teeth?

 

[hokiedds]

Yeah, I went to Guatemala back in March. It confirmed my decision to go into dentistry. Did you give injections and pull teeth?

The same goes for me, I decided last summer in Peru that dentistry was definitely what I wanted to do.The opportunity is usually there to get alot of hands on experience that just isn't possible in the States. If anyone wants a good place to find some trip opportunities, try the Christian Dental Society's webpage. They have a ton of trips going all over the world planned for this year. Here's the link: http://www.christiandental.org/

 

[J2AZ]

Yeah, I went to Guatemala back in March. It confirmed my decision to go into dentistry. Did you give injections and pull teeth?

I have gone down to Mexico with the Flying Sams. Great experience. The group has a very good policy that prohibits any non-licensed individual from performing dental care. I hope that the other mission groups follow this same policy, unless it is a trip of students sponsored by a medical/dental school. There is no need to put people of other countries at risk of injury just for the sake of "experience." If given the opportunity to do so I hope you think twice before giving an injection or pulling tooth.

 

[hokiedds]

I have gone down to Mexico with the Flying Sams. Great experience. The group has a very good policy that prohibits any non-licensed individual from performing dental care. I hope that the other mission groups follow this same policy, unless it is a trip of students sponsored by a medical/dental school. There is no need to put people of other countries at risk of injury just for the sake of "experience." If given the opportunity to do so I hope you think twice before giving an injection or pulling tooth.

I agree wholeheartedly. All of us aspiring dentists will get our fill of experience soon enough, and in four short years, we can go to central america and pull teeth to our hearts content, but until then hands on experience should be limited to what is allowed in American dental offices. I am a dental assistant during the summers, so polishing teeth and teaching children about oral hygiene in my very limited spanish vocabulary, as well as assisting the dentists who were extracting teeth were, in my mind, all well within the accetable limits. We are going on these trips to help the poor who otherwise would have no access to healthcare, and it would seem counterproductive to allow untrained students to give injections and extract teeth because of the risk of injury to themselves or the patients.

 

[DREDAY]

The same goes for me, I decided last summer in Peru that dentistry was definitely what I wanted to do.The opportunity is usually there to get alot of hands on experience that just isn't possible in the States. If anyone wants a good place to find some trip opportunities, try the Christian Dental Society's webpage. They have a ton of trips going all over the world planned for this year. Here's the link: http://www.christiandental.org/

hey where in peru did you go?

 

[souperman]

I agree wholeheartedly. All of us aspiring dentists will get our fill of experience soon enough, and in four short years, we can go to central america and pull teeth to our hearts content, but until then hands on experience should be limited to what is allowed in American dental offices. I am a dental assistant during the summers, so polishing teeth and teaching children about oral hygiene in my very limited spanish vocabulary, as well as assisting the dentists who were extracting teeth were, in my mind, all well within the accetable limits. We are going on these trips to help the poor who otherwise would have no access to healthcare, and it would seem counterproductive to allow untrained students to give injections and extract teeth because of the risk of injury to themselves or the patients.

I have had several friends of mine go on these trips and have had first hand experiences, some loved it and now some are reconsidering their future. Your comments make it sound like these dentists were turning wild undergrads over to perform extractions on people like they were lab rats...not so. The dentists were acting as instructors while the students got some experience in dentistry. I don't see how that is counterproductive, in fact it sounds a lot like dental school to me...untrained students performing procedures on people who otherwise would have no access to healthcare in order to get experince and become more prepared.

 

[cusp of carabelli]

i'm going down with some members of my class in 2 weeks to venezuela...i can't wait to experience life and do dentistry down there...

 

[hokiedds]

hey where in peru did you go?

The jungle in the north around Tarapoto, Lima, Cusco/Machu Pichu, and Arequipa.

 

[hokiedds]

I have had several friends of mine go on these trips and have had first hand experiences, some loved it and now some are reconsidering their future. Your comments make it sound like these dentists were turning wild undergrads over to perform extractions on people like they were lab rats...not so. The dentists were acting as instructors while the students got some experience in dentistry. I don't see how that is counterproductive, in fact it sounds a lot like dental school to me...untrained students performing procedures on people who otherwise would have no access to healthcare in order to get experince and become more prepared.

This is a difficult topic to be sure, but my opinion is that practicing unlicensed dentistry just isnt a good idea. Dental students are another story because they have had some training, but I feel that its rather like taking advantage of the poor in these countries to let a college student who hasnt had any kind of formal training give injections or extract teeth because the patient basically has been put in the position of accepting their "guinea pig" status or of not recieving care at all and enduring their pain. I know that I wouldnt want someone who hasnt been to dental school to be giving me an injection or performing oral surgery, no matter how closely supervised they were by a dentist. And if the goal is to really help these people, why not let the dentist do it? He/she is going to be faster and better at it than the student, and as a result more patients will get seen over the course of the day.

 

[Trookie]

I would love to go on these types of missions. About how much does the average trip cost you?

 

[cotinara]

are there any nondenominational groups out there? I dont want to join a group where i have to also preach on the side.

 

[hokiedds]

I would love to go on these types of missions. About how much does the average trip cost you?

Every trip I have been on has costed around 1500 dollars, including the airfare. Airfare is really the most expensive part because hotels, food, and transportation in 3rd world countries are dirt cheap.

 

[hokiedds]

are there any nondenominational groups out there? I dont want to join a group where i have to also preach on the side.

All trips I have been on have been church sponsored, but because most of the team, myself included, did not speak spanish, we worked in the dental clinic and left the preaching to the local churches who organized the clinics. If you still would rather go with a secular organization, Operation Smile is the best choice I can think of. Many dental schools will organize trips for their students over Spring or Summer break, so even if you don't get the chance to go now, you might still be able to go while you are in dental school.

 

[DREDAY]

This is a difficult topic to be sure, but my opinion is that practicing unlicensed dentistry just isnt a good idea. Dental students are another story because they have had some training, but I feel that its rather like taking advantage of the poor in these countries to let a college student who hasnt had any kind of formal training give injections or extract teeth because the patient basically has been put in the position of accepting their "guinea pig" status or of not recieving care at all and enduring their pain. I know that I wouldnt want someone who hasnt been to dental school to be giving me an injection or performing oral surgery, no matter how closely supervised they were by a dentist. And if the goal is to really help these people, why not let the dentist do it? He/she is going to be faster and better at it than the student, and as a result more patients will get seen over the course of the day.

That would be wonderful if instead of dental students we could get dentists out there, but thats not the case. Most dentists do not want to leave their lucrative practices to pay money out of their pockets to provide free dental services in 3rd world country.


Also I was in Lake Titicaca in Peru about a month ago, and I went to an isolated Island (4hr boat ride from shore) in the lake. I spoke with the indiginous chief of the tribe that lives in the island he said that they get no volunteers out to the island. Any volunteers only go to the mainland. Plus in these countries because most of these people cannot afford dental care hardly and of the dental treatment they receive is preventive. SO after speaking with the chief, he was telling me that it would be wonderful if once I got to dental school, I could set something up to get a group of dental students out there. I am gonna try to do that once I start.

 

[DREDAY]

are there any nondenominational groups out there? I dont want to join a group where i have to also preach on the side.

there is an organization called dr. without borders that you can check out.

 

[hokiedds]

That would be wonderful if instead of dental students we could get dentists out there, but thats not the case. Most dentists do not want to leave their lucrative practices to pay money out of their pockets to provide free dental services in 3rd world country.


Also I was in Lake Titicaca in Peru about a month ago, and I went to an isolated Island (4hr boat ride from shore) in the lake. I spoke with the indiginous chief of the tribe that lives in the island he said that they get no volunteers out to the island. Any volunteers only go to the mainland. Plus in these countries because most of these people cannot afford dental care hardly and of the dental treatment they receive is preventive. SO after speaking with the chief, he was telling me that it would be wonderful if once I got to dental school, I could set something up to get a group of dental students out there. I am gonna try to do that once I start.

It seems that the few dentists who I know that go, go frequently (2-3 times a year). Its a shame that more dentists won't get out there and try it, its an amazing experience and once you go, you just can't help wanting to go back again. My dad is a dentist and takes one of his trips every year out to Puno, which is a city on Lake Titicaca. I know the dental team went and saw the giant floating reed islands that you are talking about, but I don't think they held a clinic out there. Usually he is able to get another dentist from the States and two or three Peruvian dentists from Arequipa to go work in the clinics with him. I'm definitely hooked on these trips and will be taking a couple a year once I get out of dental school. The cost of shutting down your office for a week is nothing once you actually get there and see how those people live and how much you can do to help them.

 

[DREDAY]

It seems that the few dentists who I know that go, go frequently (2-3 times a year). Its a shame that more dentists won't get out there and try it, its an amazing experience and once you go, you will definitely want to keep going back. My dad is a dentist and takes one of his trips every year out to Puno, which is a city on Lake Titicaca. I know the dental team went and saw the giant floating reed islands that you are talking about, but I don't think they held a clinic out there. Usually he is able to get another dentist from the States and two or three Peruvian dentists from Arequipa to go out there with him. I'm definitely hooked on these trips and will definitely be taking a couple a year once I get out of dental school. The cost of shutting down your office for a week is nothing once you actually get there and see how those people live and how much you can do to help them.

I agree 100%. Thats what i plan on doing once i graduate. And yes Puno is where I was. Thats where the natives from the islands go to get their dental service done. Except this island (shamefully i forgot the name) is really far away from puno so the 5000 indiginous residents cannot go for the free dental services when organization like your father's comes to shore. My goal is to get a trip that goes to the island and the chief said he would be more than glad to get us accomodations there during our stay.

 

[Smooth Operater]

hey hokiedds! Do u know any good organizations that take Canadians who are not in dental school yet? How long do you usually spend the time in the country for the cost $1500?

 

[hokiedds]

hey hokiedds! Do u know any good organizations that take Canadians who are not in dental school yet? How long do you usually spend the time in the country for the cost $1500?

Check the Christian Dental Societies website for upcoming trips. Thats where I find the ones I go on. They are typically 10 day trips and there are always a couple pre-dental students or people with no prior dental training on the trips. And yes, we've had Canadians go a couple of times, so I dont think they will hold that against you 🙂 .

 

[J2AZ]

My tip with the Flying Sams cost about $200. $100 went to the pilot to off set gas costs and the other hundred went for hotel and food. The flying Sams work out of AZ and California. I know there is a group up in Sacramento as well as San Diego. Cost of the trip from Sac. would most likely be more than $200 b/c of more flight time.

Hey Dreday, you are heading to UCSF right? If so we should get together and plan a few trips. While interviewing there I asked a faculty member if they had mission trips that students went on. She told me that they didnt, yet most of the faculty would be open to supporting such a trip as long as the students took responsiblity in planning it.

Ill help you plan a trip to Peru and if you want I would love to get a trip going to C.A. maybe to Honduras.

J

 

[DREDAY]

My tip with the Flying Sams cost about $200. $100 went to the pilot to off set gas costs and the other hundred went for hotel and food. The flying Sams work out of AZ and California. I know there is a group up in Sacramento as well as San Diego. Cost of the trip from Sac. would most likely be more than $200 b/c of more flight time.

Hey Dreday, you are heading to UCSF right? If so we should get together and plan a few trips. While interviewing there I asked a faculty member if they had mission trips that students went on. She told me that they didnt, yet most of the faculty would be open to supporting such a trip as long as the students took responsiblity in planning it.

Ill help you plan a trip to Peru and if you want I would love to get a trip going to C.A. maybe to Honduras.

J

Yeah bro, I will be at UCSF this fall so we shoul definitely try to set something up and get a group down to Peru. Honduras sounds great too. Any of these countries will provide for a great opportunity for us to help underserved and undereducated communities. what is C.A.? Also do you have any ideas how to get started on setting something up like that because if we can get some of the work out of the way we can get a trip out by next spring break, or even (very optimistically) this winter break.

 

[ISU_Steve]

The problem with Doctors without Borders is that they are generally only placing physicians and perhaps a couple of other providers (I believe nurses are also included).

 

[J2AZ]

The problem with Doctors without Borders is that they are generally only placing physicians and perhaps a couple of other providers (I believe nurses are also included).

You are right about Doctor without Borders. I believe the only dentists they include in their programs are OMS guys. They do a bunch of cleft palate stuff.

Also do you have any ideas how to get started on setting something up like that

The first thing we would need to do is determine what countries are in need of dental missions, how accessible the countries are, how much a trip to the various countries would cost, and what type of facilities and support exists.

We may also want to contact schools such as Temple, Loma Linda, and Creighton in order to pick their brains as well as organizations that already provide mission services such as the church groups etc. listed above.

We would most likely need permission from the host country as well as the school. We would want a faculty advisor and we would want to have a host country counterpart.

So, once we have the info we would need to write up a paper much like a grant proposal that lays out why we wish to do a mission trip and how we will carry out the trip, what our objectives are, and how we will evaluate or success. We would want to try to include health statistics from the host country and a detailed project timeline etc. We will give this to the university faculty and possibly use it to solicit funding.

If anybody else has suggestions or has set up a mission tip in the past please feel free to chime in.

C.A. is central america

 

[ISU_Steve]

I've not planned a mission trip before, but I'm very good with logistics and supply management courtesy of being in charge of those for several years on the fire department (I was responsible for the mass casualty preparations) and an ambulance service. If I can be of assistance, please let me know and feel free to PM me.

 

[J2AZ]

cool