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VIDA Dental Teams

Central America Smiles

Big smile from a little girl!

Many people in Nicaragua, Panama, and Costa Rica receive no regular health care or dental care. By partnering with communities in need and globally-minded volunteers, we are able to provide basic health care and dental care through medical brigades and dental mission trips to those who would otherwise not receive any medical or dental attention. We aim to support other international nonprofits in their commitment to the communities they work in as well as provide support to remote and isolated communities. Join us for a hands-on experience of a lifetime as we join hands with communities across Central America.

VIDA offers a Dental program for all Pre-Dental and Dental students and all others interested in the field of Dental Health. VIDA currently offers Dental Teams in the following countries:

VIDA provides volunteers with a unique eye-opening, hands-on, and mind-enriching experience in Dentistry under the supervision of highly qualified Dental Professionals in the host country.

The Dental program is offered several times a year when the minimum of 4 dental volunteers has been met per trip. (This program is offered in coordination with a VIDA medical group)

Special trips dedicated to dentistry services only are offered when there are a minimum of 15 participants. Normally any group of less than 15 will be offered in coordination with a medical group.

All programs include a brief general orientation session that includes cultural, historical, social and political information about the host country as well as a review of program guidelines, staff introductions, review of itinerary, emergency protocols, etc. Participants receive program specific orientation in addition to the brief general orientation.

VIDA offers one full day of orientation/training to prepare volunteers for a truly “hands on” clinical experience.

Dental Orientation/Training

Thanks for fixing my tooth!

Brief overview of Common Oral diseases, nerves of the mouth, tooth identification, etc

Basic Dental exams and screenings

Overview of field extractions/techniques

Overview of field cavity filling process

Overview of manual cleanings in the field

Review of dental instruments and equipment; proper care and handling of dental equipment.

Differences between dental care systems of host country and U.S./Canada/Europe.

Importance of Community Education/Public Health

Review of Standard Precautions and Hazardous Waste materials disposal

Basic Dental Spanish (allows participants more independence)

Field Clinics

Dental practice, Granada, Nicarauga

Volunteers will actively participate with an emphasis in a “hands on” experience in the following areas:

Participants will perform dental exams/screenings for children and adults.

Volunteers will assist in manual cleanings and become independent those procedures.

Participants will actively assist in extractions and pain management procedures; based upon the participant’s level of interest and experience he/she may become independent with these procedures.

Volunteers will actively assist in the cavity filling and pain management process. Students in a University dental program will become independent with these procedures depending on their level of interest and skill.

Participants will perform public health screenings and community education discussions to help promote public awareness when appropriate via translators.

Participants will always be supervised by local host county professionals.

Dental clinics usually begin at 8:30 a.m. and end by 6:00 p.m.

Dental clinics are occasionally held in coordination with medical clinics in needy communities or remote villages.

Dental clinics will have a 1:5 ratio; 1 Dentist to no more than 5 students to maximize student participation and team work.

Field clinics are like mobile mash units. Every day will be a new setting; such as schools, community centers, single family dwellings, churches, local health clinic, etc

These settings may have latrines, no running water, and no electricity; there will be exposure to lots of dust and heat.

VIDA Dental Staff are highly qualified, bilingual Professionals, who are licensed to practice Dentistry.

A dynamic and highly experienced bilingual Team Leader will guide the group and accompany the group to field clinics, evening outings, and recreation days.

Highly qualified bilingual Assistant Team Leaders and translators will travel with the team and be available as needed.

Citizens of the U.S.A., Canada, and E.U.do not need visas to enter Costa Rica, Nicaragua, or Panama. All other individuals should inquire about needed visas in the nearest consulate of the country they wish experience their VIDA adventure. Please allow 30 to 60 days for this process.

What does the VIDA Dental Service trip include?

The inventions of Pierre Fauchard which revolutionized dentistry Pierre Fauchard

• Safe and reliable transportation throughout the entire adventure (except airfare) (includes airport pick up and drop off)
• All lodging
• Two meals a day (except non–clinic days)
• Pre-adventure coordination, support, and itinerary planning
• Project evaluation and coordination
• 24 hour emergency assistance
• All equipment, materials and supplies for service project (unless otherwise indicated)
• Bilingual Dental Staff
• Bilingual Team Leader and Team Assistant, and highly qualified translators as needed– 24 hours a day
• Survival Spanish class
• Recreational activities (special requests excluded)
• Dental Manual and general orientation guide
• Evening group activities
• Border and Customs fees
• Entrance fees to National parks, museums, etc
• Statement of volunteer service hours or letter of recommendation (case by case basis)
• Post Service Adventure follow-up

Next: Dental Team Trip Preparation Guidelines

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