The kids I taught were amazing. They were enthusiastic, full of energy and were willing to learn. This makes the experience so much easier to enjoyable because you can see the progress the kids are making. They trust and affection the kids shows you is so precious. Every weekend, I was able to see many of the beautiful sites in Guatemala, like Atitlan Lake, climbing Acatenango, Tikal and Semuc Champey. I was also able to learn some Mayan history and culture.
Dental Volunteer Program in Guatemala - Antigua
Purpose
Start dates
Duration
Volunteer hours
Age
Accommodation
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
This program is ideal for:
Project details
Are you ready to make a meaningful impact as a dental volunteer in Guatemala? Join International Volunteer HQ’s Dentistry project and help transform lives by improving access to essential dental care and treatment in underserved communities. Whether you’re at the beginning of your dental career or an experienced professional, your skills and passion can make a difference.
Help give locals the attention, treatment, and education they’re missing. Be a part of this rewarding opportunity and make a difference today!
What to expect and how you'll make an impact
In Guatemala, dental clinics often have far fewer resources compared to those you may find back home. Coupled with a shortage of funding and trained staff, and a lack of dental hygiene education, many community members struggle to receive the care they need. You’ll play a crucial role in addressing these challenges by educating locals on the importance of dental hygiene, raising awareness, and assisting with patient care.
Volunteers are typically placed in either a community dental clinic or a health clinic offering dental services. As a Dentistry volunteer, you’ll dive into the daily operations of the clinic, gaining invaluable hands-on experience in dental practices and a deeper understanding of Guatemala’s healthcare system.
Your tasks and the level of hands-on work you can complete may vary based on the needs of the project and the community at the time you are volunteering, and will also depend on your Spanish language ability, level of studies, and qualifications. Initiative and flexibility are essential to make the best out of your experience!
As a Dental volunteer in Guatemala, your volunteer work may include:
- Shadowing a dentist and/or dental hygienist
- Helping to prepare materials for treatment
- Sanitizing and preparing instruments
- Educating community members about dental hygiene
- Supporting with administrative tasks in the clinics as needed
Fully qualified professionals will also have the opportunity to assist with:
- Teeth cleaning and check-ups
- Extractions and fillings
Volunteers are required to bring their own PPE (Personal Protection Equipment) including their own scrubs, gloves, and masks.
Why do Dentistry volunteering in Antigua with IVHQ?
As a Dental volunteer in Guatemala you’ll be adding value to the local community, while also developing personally and professionally by:
- Helping patients in disadvantaged communities
- Improving access to dental care and educating on hygiene
- Practicing your Spanish
- Observing clinical practice in a cross-cultural setting
- Gaining dentistry experience
- Immersing yourself in Guatemalan culture
- Discovering the charms of ancient Antigua
Volunteer requirements
- To be eligible for this project you must at a minimum be enrolled in a post-secondary dental program, or be a dental student, dental nurse, dental hygienist or fully qualified dentist.
- Volunteers need to be 18 years or over to participate in this program. If you are under the age of 18, IVHQ offers alternative volunteer opportunities for teens. Visit our High School Volunteer Abroad page to learn more.
- All volunteers are required to speak fluent English, have adequate volunteer travel insurance and provide a criminal background check to IVHQ before departure.
Are you eligible to volunteer?
Submit a free application so we can confirm your eligibility and check availability for your preferred dates.
Not sure which program to join?
Get personalized recommendations >
Who is going?
Group video calls
Once you have secured your place, join regular video calls to meet your Program Manager and other volunteers before your trip.
Guatemala photo gallery
What recent volunteers said about their IVHQ experience
It was important for me to have my team gain exposure to a country and community that we could not easily access. The collaboration between IVHQ, the local team, and community partner brought the exact experience I wanted for my team. As my initial point of contact, IVHQ made the planning and preparation for the trip easy and seamless. I would highly encourage anyone looking to conduct a volunteer opportunity in a foreign nation to give IVHQ a try!
I learned so much during my time volunteering in Guatemala. I learned that I am capable of much more than I knew, I reached beyond my limits and expanded my comfort zone, I met so many amazing people who were supportive and kind, I learned about how much work and effort it takes to sustainably grow a variety of plants and vegetables, and I was able to see/immerse myself in a new culture that I would never have been able to fully understand without living and seeing.
I would 1000% recommend joining this program or one similar for all these reasons and so many more. I would say that if you are hesitant, just go for it!! Don’t hold yourself back from a wonderful experience!!
I think the biggest things I gained from this experience was learning Spanish, being emerged into a new culture, and helping people in a way I've never before. I would say stay open to any opportunities that come your way.
I gained a lot from this experience, an appreciation of the things we take for granted in the western world, an appreciation for what’s really important, it was humbling to see how important family is in the Mayan culture, a time to reflect and gain insights into your own intrinsic motivations and what’s important to you in life, so many great things came from this experience.
My advice would be to “just do it”, it’s the best way to experience a culture, it’s super well organised and life is short, so experience the world before it might be too late.
My favorite moment from the volunteer experience was helping kids get out of pain. I'd encourage others to do it! Giving back makes you feel better.
To read all reviews, visit our reviews page.
Academic course credit
Academic course credit
Gain course credit from your college or university and meet your academic requirements when completing a volunteer abroad program with International Volunteer HQ!
Learn about course creditLocation
Location
When you walk the cobblestone streets of Antigua it is easy to see why it has been made a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Baroque architecture, Spanish colonial churches and brightly painted buildings can be admired on nearly every corner. The urban environment speaks to the rich history of the city which dates back to the 1500s and includes a number of destructive earthquakes which have seen it repaired and rebuilt over a long period of time.
IVHQ’s Guatemala program is based in Antigua with placements in the city and surrounding areas. At these placements you’re likely to see the struggle faced by many Guatemalans living with limited resources. Despite the beauty of the place and its busy tourism industry, Guatemala is one of the poorest countries in Latin America. Its citizens can benefit greatly from the support volunteers can give local initiatives which strive to improve their lives.
Antigua is located approximately 30 minutes from Guatemala City.
Arrival and orientation
The program orientation begins every Monday and volunteers need to arrive in Guatemala City on the day before orientation.
After you have registered for the program, please book your flights to arrive at the La Aurora International Airport (GUA) in Guatemala City. Your airport pick-up is included in your Program Fee. We recommend that volunteers under the age of 18 travel internationally with a notarized letter from their parents to support their documentation.
When you arrive, you will be greeted at the airport by a member of the local team and transported to the volunteer accommodation in Antigua. Your accommodation is covered by your Program Fee and includes the night before your program orientation.
If you are traveling in Guatemala prior to your volunteer program, we can arrange for you to be picked up in Antigua on the day before your program orientation.
Orientation is hosted by our local team at their office in Antigua. Orientation begins on Monday morning and covers everything you need to know for your volunteer program in Guatemala – an introduction to Guatemala, Guatemalan customs, language training details, rules and expectations, safety, travel opportunities in Guatemala, and an introduction to your project and placement. The orientation will also give you a chance to meet other volunteers and swap contact details for weekend travel and socializing.
Volunteer schedule example
First Day
On your first day of volunteering, you will be escorted to your placement by a local coordinator and introduced to the placement staff you will be working with.
Weekdays
Volunteers will have a morning or afternoon shift, which will last around 3 to 5 hours. Work and hours are dependent on the project and location. If a volunteer is taking Spanish language lessons, they will usually volunteer for half the day and spend the other half in lessons. A typical schedule is as follows:
7:30 - 8:00 AM | Breakfast with your host family. |
8:30 AM | Volunteer leaves home and travels to the project. The volunteer meets with the local staff. You will be given a duty roster and a plan for your work. |
12:00 PM | Lunch at a local restaurant. |
1:00 - 5:00 PM | Work at the placement usually ends. Volunteers are free to travel back to the accommodation, go sightseeing or do some shopping. |
7:00 PM | Dinner with your host family. |
Weekends
During the weekends, volunteers have spare time and usually just relax or take the opportunity to explore Antigua and other parts of Guatemala. Hop on a chicken bus and discover the beautiful architecture and sights of the charming city of Antigua, or jump on an ATV and go exploring at a coffee plantation, on a volcano or through small countryside villages. You’ll also find a great selection of markets selling everything from fruit and vegetables to locally-made handcrafts and cooking classes that can teach you how to make Guatemala’s tasty national stew - Pepian.
Long weekends can be taken to travel further afield to destinations, such as Tikal, Belize, Mexico, El Salvador and Honduras.
Sunday is a religious day of rest and many shops and restaurants are closed. Most Guatemalans devote the day to spending time with their family. If you wish, you can accompany your host family to their local church, as a Latin American church service is a unique and special experience for many volunteers.
Accommodation and WiFi
Volunteers who are under the age of 27 are accommodated alongside other volunteers in a large, dormitory style volunteer house, and those over the age of 27 are accommodated in smaller local homestays. If you are traveling as a family, the local team will place you in a home-stay.
Living is comfortable with electricity, running water and western bathrooms. Low pressure showers should be expected and the water is not always heated. You will need to bring your own towel and toiletries, but bed linen is provided.
Bedrooms have single beds and bunk beds with bedding provided. You can expect to share a room with 2 - 6 other volunteers of the same gender. Single occupancy private rooms are available upon request for an additional cost, offering you the ultimate comfort and privacy during your stay.
WiFi is available at the volunteer houses and homestays. However, the connection may not be as reliable as what you are used to at home. You will also have access to computers and WiFi at the local team’s office in Antigua.
Please note, volunteers under the age of 18 who are traveling solo will be accommodated separately from those over the age of 18, in a homestay. If there are other volunteers under the age of 18 participating at the same time, the local team will do their best to ensure they are accommodated together.
Meals
Volunteers are provided breakfast and dinner at their accommodation. Breakfast will be bread or tortillas, spreads, fruit and eggs with tea or coffee. Dinner commonly consists of meat, beans, starches and vegetables.
Lunches are not provided to Antigua-based volunteers as they are usually away from their accommodation around midday. We recommend budgeting between CA$4 and CA$7 per day to buy lunch at local restaurants recommended by staff.
Filtered water will be available at the accommodation, and bottled water is also easy to purchase and inexpensive throughout Guatemala.
When you apply for the program, please be sure to notify us of any special dietary requirements so we can make arrangements for you.
Pricing
Spots are limited. For a Registration Fee of just US$299 (approximately CA$440) you secure your spot and unlock all our preparation and training tools.
You don't need to worry about paying your Program Fee until you get closer to your start date.
Duration |
Program FeeDue 30 days before you start, or within 48 hours if you register inside of 30 days. Covers the cost of hosting you.
|
---|---|
1 week | $548 Equivalent to $78/day |
2 weeks | $905 Equivalent to $65/day |
3 weeks | $1,210 Equivalent to $58/day |
4 weeks | $1,530 Equivalent to $55/day |
5 weeks | $1,810 Equivalent to $52/day |
6 weeks | $2,090 Equivalent to $50/day |
8 weeks | $2,650 Equivalent to $47/day |
10 weeks | $3,210 Equivalent to $46/day |
12 weeks | $3,770 Equivalent to $45/day |
16 weeks | $4,890 Equivalent to $44/day |
20 weeks | $6,010 Equivalent to $43/day |
24 weeks | $7,130 Equivalent to $42/day |
- All programs attract a Registration Fee of US$299 (approximately CA$440) in addition to the Program Fee. This covers all pre-departure support services.
- A 5% international banking fee is added at point of payment.
- Recommended spending money: Volunteers in Guatemala generally find US$80 - US$100 per week to be sufficient for expenses. Please note this budget is for general expenses and does not include money you will need for any weekend activities you plan to do.
- Breakfast and dinner
- Airport pick-up
- US$95 per week for supervision, materials and logistics involved in the project
- Accommodation
- 24/7 in-country support
- In-country program orientation
- Pre-departure support from your Program Manager
- Personalized preparation tools, guides and check lists
- Access to IVHQ’s preferred insurance and flights partners
- Discounts on language lessons
- Discounts on travel and tour add-ons
- Certificate of International Volunteer Service
Learn more about what's included in your IVHQ Registration Fee and Program Fee.
- Lunch
- Transport to and from your placement each day
- Return to the airport when your program finishes
- Flights
- Visa (if required), travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check.
- Personal spending money for snacks, laundry, public transportation, drinks and leisure activities during your free time.
Popular add-ons & experiences in Antigua
Take your volunteer experience to the next level with these popular add-ons and experiences. Explore your options below and learn how to book them once you've been accepted onto the IVHQ Antigua program.
Step into the world of coffee excellence in the lush highlands of Guatemala
See all of Guatemala’s major hot spots on this 1-week Mini Adventure tour.
Enhance your volunteer experience by mastering the language with our flexible, daily online Spanish Lessons.
Affordable Spanish language lessons
No need to be fluent in Spanish to join the IVHQ Guatemala program—but imagine how much more you can get out of your experience by learning some basic Spanish! Our tailored language lessons are designed to meet you at your current level and help you feel more confident in everyday conversations. Classes run Monday to Friday, and the best part? They’re super affordable and available exclusively for IVHQ volunteers. Dive deeper into the culture and make your experience truly unforgettable!
Online lessons:
- 1-hour Private Classes: from CA$110 per week
In country lessons:
- 2-hour Small Group Classes: from CA$98 per week
- 1-hour Private Classes: from CA$120 per week
- 2-hour Private Classes: from CA$223 per week
How to book IVHQ’s language lessons: When you apply for your IVHQ volunteer program, make a note in your application of the language classes you’re interested in.
Once you’ve paid your registration fee, your IVHQ Program Manager will be able to book your place on your chosen language classes.
Check what's required to visit Guatemala
Safety and support
Safety and support
IVHQ follows best practice and industry-leading health and safety procedures, which are regularly reviewed and optimized as part of the B Corporation recertification.
- All volunteers encouraged to complete our interactive pre-departure training.
- All local teams trained on best practice volunteer management & First Aid.
- All IVHQ programs are required to adhere to IVHQ's Risk Management Policy.
- All volunteers have access to 24/7 in-country support from our local team.
Essential country information
Essential country information
Capital | Guatemala City |
Population | 15.08 million |
Languages | Spanish |
Currency | Guatemalan Quetzal (GTQ) |
Time zone | UTC−06:00 |
Weather and climate: Guatemala has a range of micro climates and the high altitude of Guatemala City results in a subtropical highland climate in this region. There aren’t distinct seasons in Guatemala and the temperature is typically mild year round. Temperatures range from 22°C to 28°C (72°F to 82°F) during the day, and 12°C to 17°C (54°F to 63°F) at night. The country attracts winds and rain during the months of May to October with the hottest month being April.