Program Reviews

This was my fifth trip with GDR, all in different locations.
All the trips have been very well organised and their program is really well thought out, focusing on lifelong dental health with lots of prevention as well as dealing with treatment need.
Dental equipment and support is vastly superior to other organisations I’ve volunteered with.
I have met lots of wonderful people, both volunteers from all around the world and local helpers who give an insight into the way of life which you don’t get as a tourist.
GDR are also very helpful with sightseeing and trekking extensions to their trips.

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.

Volunteering in Nepal was an incredible experience to say the least. I love giving back and making a difference, so to be able to use my skills and expertise as a dental hygienist to help so many in need of dental care was truly heartwarming. We even built long-term friendships with the student volunteers at SMD and they still keep in touch with us, which is more than I could have ever expected from this trip. This was my first GDR trip and I could not have been more impressed with the organization. Mark and Victoria were amazing to work with and ensured everything ran smoothly in the clinic. They also made sure we enjoyed our time outside the clinic with plenty of recommendations of places to see, to eat, to shop, you name it. This was truly a life changing experience and I know I will definitely be back again.

Honestly speaking, before going to Nepal, I wasn’t expecting the impact that it would actually make on me. I’ve got way more than just memories from Nepal, I’ve made friends for life. I had such an amazing experience with GDR, they are truly doing something special and it changed my life...no joke. If I was to rate my experience it would be a solid 12/10, and I would highly recommend this to anyone who likes travelling, or volunteering or is just looking for an adventure, I promise you, you will leave with so much more than what you came with. The clinics were so much fun and Mark and Victoria have such a positive vibe that reflects onto everyone. Their love and passion for what they do reflects in their work and effort and especially the smiles of the kids we treated. The sightseeing was absolutely incredible. I wouldn’t have been able to do all and see all that we did if I travelled alone and I love to travel! The food, the culture, the people, the music, the excursions, the SHOPPING! This was an amazing way of travelling and I have a feeling that it’s the first of many adventures! I don’t even have enough words to explain how I feel and the gratitude I have towards GDR. Thank you, GDR and especially Mark and Victoria for being such amazing hosts and the amazing energy and stories and wisdoms you guys shared with all of us! All I can really say is that I can’t wait till my next trip! Ps I’m brining friends! :)

This was my first trip out of the US and it was definitely one to remember. Traveling with GDR was so well planned and had a great balance of tourism and volunteering. The food, tourism activities and people we met were all so amazing. The children were also such a refreshing group of kids, who truly warmed my heart. I enjoyed myself throughly and can’t wait to go on another trip with this organization!

My trip to Guatemala was incredible. The entire planning process went smoothly and the staff at GDR were very organized, professional and timely! I have already signed up for another trip this September 2018 to Kenya. I would recommend GDR to everyone because it was nothing less than amazing! I did not know anyone prior to the trip, and once I met everyone there I noticed they were just as seevant hearted as me, welcomed me with opened arms and by the time I left I made some super awesome lifelong friends!!! GDR is a 10!!

I can’t recommend this trip highly enough. As with all of our previous travel with Global Dental Relief, this location was very well organized and efficient-allowing us the ability to really make a big impact during the week we spent in the clinic. It was also such a pleasure to work with the students from the SMD school who had been
trained as dental assistants. And of course, the chance to explore Kathmandu was exciting! The GDR staff is well acquainted with the area and made sure we saw and experienced all this amazing city has to offer. The culture, food, people, sights and sounds make this a truly special place. It is not an exaggeration to say this was an adventure of a lifetime!

I have had my eye on Global Dental Relief since I was 13 years old and decided I wanted to be involved in the dental field. Of course, at 13 I wasn't allowed to go without someone older with me...So at 19 I finally had the resources and time to go to Guatemala with the program for 10 days.
It was my first time traveling without my mom, which was nerve-wracking, but with the help of Becky and everyone who was coordinating my trip, I made it with no issues.
My time in Guatemala was amazing in so many different ways. I was able to meet some utterly amazing people in my short time there, both volunteers and locals. Everyone attending seemed to love the work we were doing, which is so hard to come by these days. I can't emphasize the atmosphere provided. I don't think I stopped smiling the whole time I was there. Not to mention I made connections with dental and non-dental volunteers from around the world. Connections that I plan to use later in life to further myself in this field, as well as maintain friendships that began.
The pure joy I felt was provided mostly by our ability to make a difference in the children's lives. I work with children in a mobile dental clinic at home as well, but the difference in gratitude was astounding. In Guatemala, those we were able to help were just happy to be there and be given the care they needed. I spoke pretty broken Spanish but was still about to communicate and laugh with the kids. I constantly look back on the videos I took with them and smile because there was such an unspoken bond and appreciation from them, and well as from myself.
My short 10 days was life-changing. I always had a feeling that I wanted to travel and do dental work, but it was completely solidified through my experience.
This year I will be joining the Cambodia mission, and hopefully, I will be able to attend the Nepal mission in 2019. I will forever be touched, amazed, and grateful for my time with Global Dental Relief.
So looking forward to the next journey with them. :)

Check out my youtube video on my experience:
(Skip to minute 3 for the dental clinic)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=YXU18xjU5Hk

This was our first trip with GDR. Our trip leaders, Katy and Peter were amazing. They were very organized and kept us informed. I felt safe with them and trusted their guidance. I've been on many mission trips. This was my first dental trip. I had some apprehension about assisting a dentist. The dentists and staff were great teachers and helped me ease into the position. I was deeply moved by the students we served. The need in Kenya is great and we were able to serve hundreds of students. The safari was a dream come true. I live on a farm with lots of wildlife. To see African wildlife in their native habitat was more than I imagined. GDR is doing marvelous work and I intend to join another trip.

I've had the honor of volunteering in three GDR clinics in Guatemala. As a non-dental volunteer I love the impact I can have on these kids lives -- children who without these clinics would have no access to dental care. Non dental volunteer make up more than 60% of the volunteers i the clinic - they teach toothbrush instructor, manage patient flow, do sterilization, assist dentists, and do fluoride varnish.

GDR has been working in Guatemala for ten years and has an amazing network of partners. The clinics are seamless, allowing volunteers to focus on the task of providing complete dental care to as many children as possible in a weeks time.

There is nothing more rewarding then seeing a child come in to the clinic in pain and leave smiling, relieved of their pain, able to eat and sleep and carry on with their lives. This is a truly special volunteer experience that I would recommend to anyone, regardless of age or profession!