If you’re looking for dental volunteer abroad programs for students, dentists or dental hygienists, International Volunteer HQ offers affordable dental mission trips and dental volunteer opportunities within our Medical and Healthcare projects in 6 destinations around the world.
As a volunteer dentist with IVHQ, you will have the opportunity to volunteer abroad in Peru, Guatemala, India, Tanzania, Ghana or Bali. There is also specialist Dentistry volunteer project available in the tropical state of Kerala in South India.
Dental volunteering abroad gives you the opportunity to give back to developing communities, while engaging in cross-cultural exchanges and gaining invaluable dental experience abroad to support you in your career as a dental professional.
When joining a dental mission trips with IVHQ, you will always be in the company of like-minded healthcare students and professionals from around the world, and our in-country team will ensure that you are well supported throughout your dental placement.
IVHQ makes organizing dental mission trips easy and affordable, and if you have group of volunteer dentists you want to travel with, we can customize a dental volunteer abroad program for you too.
- What are the requirements to volunteer as a dentist abroad?
- Why volunteer as a dentist abroad?
- Where are dental volunteer opportunities abroad available?
- Best Dentistry Volunteer Abroad Programs
- How long can dentists volunteer abroad for?
- Why volunteer overseas with IVHQ?
- How do I apply for a dental volunteer abroad program with IVHQ?
- How can I volunteer with a group of dental students or colleagues?
What are the requirements to volunteer as a dentist abroad?
International Volunteer HQ offers dental volunteer opportunities for students, dentists, dental hygienists and dental assistants, as well as pre dental volunteer opportunities. The scope of volunteer work you can participate on depends on your specific experience and qualification level, so it’s important to make note of these details when you apply for a dental volunteer abroad program with IVHQ.
Why volunteer as a dentist abroad?
Volunteering abroad as a dentist provides both students and professionals with the opportunity to gain invaluable first-hand experience in an international context. With dental placements located in Africa, Asia, South America and Central America, IVHQ gives you the opportunity to volunteer across a range of healthcare settings and the chance to explore your career path further, while gaining a deeper understanding of where your professional passions lie. In addition to medical clinics, IVHQ dental volunteers have the opportunity to work within schools, educating children about the importance of general health and dental hygiene. As an international volunteer, your impact often extends beyond your visible contribution, as the cross-cultural exchanges you’ll share offer beneficial learning experiences for both you and your host community.
Where are dental volunteer opportunities abroad available?
Dental students looking for a specialist dentistry volunteer project can volunteer in:
Fully-qualified dentists, as well as dental students who have completed their second year of dental or medical school are eligible to join IVHQ’s Medical or Healthcare projects in the following destinations:
Pre dental and dental students at any point in their studies can gain experience on our Dental or Healthcare projects in:
- Costa Rica
- Guatemala
- Peru - Cusco
- India - Delhi
- Our Health Education project in Bali also gives volunteers the chance to educate local communities and children on dental hygiene, brushing teeth and oral health.
Your volunteering placement will be determined by our local team based on your skills, interests and the need of the community at the time of your dental volunteering program to ensure you have a meaningful experience.
Best Dentistry Volunteer Abroad Programs
Kerala
- Qualifications required: Dental students
- Placement settings: Local clinics alongside leading general practice and cosmetic dentists, and occasionally dental check-ups in schools
- Program duration: Volunteer for 1 to 12 weeks, programs start every Monday
- Program fees: From $665USD for two weeks. Fees include airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
When volunteering abroad on the Dentistry project in Kerala, you will work under the guidance and mentorship of leading dental professionals, and may also have the opportunity to support large-scale dental check-ups within the local community.
Guatemala
- Qualifications required: Pre dental students, dental students, dental nurses, qualified dentists and dental hygienists
- Placement settings: Local dental clinics or health clinics offering dental services
- Program duration: Volunteer for 1 to 24 weeks, programs start every Monday
- Program fees: From $405USD for one week, which includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
Volunteers working on the Dental project in Guatemala can get hands-on dentistry abroad experience, working with local professionals in small local clinics, assisting with check-ups, teeth cleaning, dental hygiene education and administrative support in the clinics. Volunteers need to be enrolled in a post-secondary dental program, be studying dentistry, or be a fully qualified as a dentist or dental hygienist, and bear in mind that assigned tasks and the level of independence a volunteer will have depends qualifications and experience, as well as Spanish language skills.
Peru - Cusco
- Qualifications required: Pre dental students, dental students, dental nurses, qualified dentists and dental hygienists
- Placement settings: Local dental clinics or health clinics offering dental services
- Program duration: Volunteer for 1 to 24 weeks, programs start every Monday
- Program fees: From $405USD for one week, which includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
Dental clinics and health clinics offering dental services for low income families in Cusco are typically underfunded and under-staffed, and volunteers play an important role in assisting local dentists while also learning about the healthcare system in Cusco. Your placement will be dependent on your level of Spanish - a basic level is advantageous, but a higher level preferred.
India - Delhi
- Qualifications required: Pre dental students, dental students and qualified dentists and dental hygienists
- Placement settings: Hospitals and a mobile clinic
- Program duration: Volunteer for 1 to 24 weeks, programs start on the 1st and 3rd Monday of each month
- Program fees: From $250USD for one week, which includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
Delhi provides opportunities for both dental students, as well as qualified professionals to gain a first-hand insight to the medical systems in one of the world’s fast-growing countries. Dental volunteers in India work in hospitals and clinics in Delhi, shadowing experienced professionals who are enthusiastic about exchanging their knowledge and experience with international volunteers. Longer-term volunteers (staying 3 months or more) will have more scope to assist with hands-on tasks.
Tanzania
- Qualifications required: At least 2 years at dental school for a dentistry placement on the Medical program
- Placement settings: Local hospitals and drop-in clinics
- Program duration: Volunteer for 1 to 16 weeks, programs start on the 1st and 15th of each month
- Program fees: From $320USD for one week, which includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
IVHQ’s medical program in Arusha, Tanzania, provides the opportunity for dental students (with at least two years experience) and qualified dentists to gain observational and hands-on experience abroad. You’ll be making a positive difference within the local community by providing dental care, hygiene advice and education to people and children who might otherwise not have access to these services. Dentistry volunteering in Tanzania is mostly observational, however, longer-term volunteers will have more scope to assist with hands-on tasks.
Costa Rica
- Qualifications required: Pre dental students, dental students, dental nurses, qualified dentists and dental hygienists
- Placement settings: Local dental clinics or health clinics offering dental services
- Program duration: Volunteer for 1 to 24 weeks, programs start every Monday
- Program fees: From $455USD for one week, which includes airport pick-up, orientation, accommodation, meals and 24/7 in-country support
Dental volunteers in Costa Rica have the opportunity to shadow local dentistry professionals, observe clinical practice in action and enjoy the cross-cultural exchange of ideas and learnings that comes from volunteering in another country’s healthcare system. Volunteers are typically placed in a dental clinic or a community center that focuses on helping the local community gain access to these services. Please note that assigned tasks and the level of independence a volunteer will have depends qualifications and experience, as well as Spanish language skills.
How long can dentists volunteer abroad for?
IVHQ runs volunteer programs year-round and you can choose to volunteer abroad for durations ranging from 1 week to 24 weeks, so it’s easy to coordinate a dental mission trip that works with your schedule.
If you’re looking for dental gap year programs, you can easily join multiple volunteer programs with IVHQ so you can gain dentistry abroad experience across different destinations.
Why volunteer overseas with IVHQ?
We know that organizing a dental volunteer trip on your own isn’t easy, that’s why hundreds of dental students and professionals turn to International Volunteer HQ to do all the organizing. IVHQ offers all-inclusive and affordable dental placement opportunities that are budget-friendly and can be customized to suit your unique skills and experience, with program fees starting as low as £16 per day including accommodation.
With over 17 years of experience in hosting volunteer dentists overseas, IVHQ specializes in taking care of all your pre-departure and in-country arrangements. We provide you with a dental placement that meets your requirements and qualifications, while offering you a rewarding travel experience, as you are immersed in the local culture and community. We also arrange your airport pick-up, accommodation, meals and orientation, and provide you with access to 24/7 in-country support to ensure you’re all set for your nursing abroad experience. Not only will you have the opportunity to learn about dental health in a global context while experiencing new cultures, healthcare systems, technologies and observing different conditions, you’ll be living and working alongside other international volunteers, and have the opportunity to travel with them during your free time.
How do I apply for a dental volunteer abroad program with IVHQ?
- Browse our dental volunteer opportunities and choose a destination and the project you wish to volunteer on, as well as the dates you wish to volunteer.
- Complete the free online application with the details of your chosen program and dates. You will then receive an email confirming that IVHQ has received your application. Within 48 hours (2 working days), you will receive an email from your IVHQ Program Manager acknowledging your application and confirming the country, project and dates of your volunteer program. In this email, you will receive instructions on how to pay the Registration Fee in order to confirm your booking with IVHQ.
- Log in to your MyIVHQ account to pay your Registration Fee. As soon as your Registration Fee has been received by IVHQ, you will be provided with all the information and support you need to prepare for your upcoming volunteer program. Your IVHQ Program Manager will be your point of contact throughout your preparations up until you finish your volunteer program.
How can I volunteer with a group of dental students or colleagues?
We are proud to have hosted a large number of dental volunteer groups over the past 17 years, and we have a specialized IVHQ Groups Team who will provide your group with all the information and support you need to register for one of our group volunteer programs. For groups of over 8 or more members, we can also help you in building a customized group itinerary, or organize a dental campaign for you to support. We’ll guide you and your group through the application process, from start to finish, and ensure that you and your group are prepared for your volunteer trip. Learn more about our group volunteer opportunities or contact our Groups Team (groups@volunteerhq.org) to chat about your dental volunteer trip plans.
Want to learn more about IVHQ’s full range of Medical and Healthcare volunteer abroad projects? Discover all your options here.
