Global Dental Relief : Public Health Dentistry with Kids in Cambodia

I have gone on two trips with Global Dental Relief. One to Guatemala and one to Cambodia. Both trips were rewarding in that I was able to be a part of an amazing team that brought much needed health care services to people. Even as a person with no dental experience, I was able to pitch in and I learned so much about dentistry along the way. These trips really help you feel part of the local community, not like just an outsider stopping by. Every part of the time spent there is thoughtfully planned from how meals are sourced to the excursions you can choose to join. And those experiences were so memorable. From tasting coffee beans right off the bush, making chocolate from cacao, and seeing street art made from sand and flower petals to hearing volcanoes grumble below me while I slept— Guatemala is so beautiful. Or walking alongside elephants in the forest, visiting ancient temples at sunrise and sunset, shopping local markets and learning to cook traditional cuisine from locals, even boating to a floating village, and exploring the colorful shops and diverse restaurants in Siem Reap—Cambodia is a treasure. I cannot wait to book my next volunteer trip. With a good friend I made on my first trip who went with me on the second one and hopefully will Jin me on many more. I love being able to make a difference and explore new places at the same time and Global Dental Relief is a great way to do both.

GDR is a well-run organization that enables and empowers its volunteers to deliver high-quality care. I was impressed by the organized, attentive, and fun trip leaders and the wonderful local staff from GDR’s parter organizations. As a non-medical volunteer supporting a dentist, I felt that I made an important contribution, and was never sitting idle. The trip leaders do a great job making sure everyone is comfortable in their roles, and will often rotate people if they want to try different stations (e.g. fluoride, records, hygiene).

GDR also does a great job balancing time in the clinic with opportunities to explore Angkor Wat and experience Cambodian culture. Optional activities included temple visits at sunrise and sunset, meals at terrific restaurants, a stunning acrobatics performance, and evening strolls through food and craft markets. I highly recommend this program.

From the minute I landed to the minute I left the country GDR provided a great experience. The program has a good balance of work and fun. On clinic days we worked from 7 or 8 am until 3 or 4 pm. And we worked hard! But we had off days to enjoy the local culture and could participate in organized tours and activities if we wanted. The goal of the program is to help with the dental needs of Cambodian children, but the secondary result is that participants learn about the culture and people of a great country. The program is designed to allow independent time as well - not every minute was planned and I appreciated that.

I would recommend the program to young and old participants.

I've wanted to see Angkor Wat since I was 7 or 8. Working in Siem Reap was a way to diminish my carbon footprint. I'm used to dry, cool air and the heat and humidity could have been a problem but fans were never in short supply and our rooms at night had ac. The group one is assigned to will begin to feel like family as you work and explore together. But it feels perfectly comfortable to hire a driver and a guide to explore more of Angkor Wat on one's own or to wander thru the markets at will. It is a beautiful place to be on any terms.