Guatemala

The Guatemala initiative started in the spring of 2016. This initiative offers dental students the opportunity to provide dental care, oral health care education, and community service to natives living in Chichicastenango, learn about the dental education system in Guatemala City, and immerse themselves in the Guatemalan culture.

Dental students and an adjunct faculty member travel for approximately two weeks to various locations throughout Guatemala. They first head to Chichicastenango and stay at Monte Flor, a local missionary campus established by an American group, Manos de Jesus. Here, they work in a fully operational dental clinic and provide dental care to local residents who typically do not have access to care, provide oral health care education to children in the community. Students also have the opportunity to engage in additional community service projects through the mission, such as building a house for a widow or serving at an after-school feeding programs for kids.

Throughout the experience, students have many experiences to learn about Guatemalan culture. In Chichicastenango, they visit the largest open market in Central America. After leaving Chichi, students travel for a few days, visiting places like Antigua and Lake Atitlan to try local foods and see some of Guatemala’s beautiful mountains, lakes and cities. Following this, students spend time at the dental school located in Guatemala City, and spend time with local dental students to learn about their education system and foster collaboration efforts for community care.