Every volunteer who joins Smiles Movement carries with them a story: one shaped by service, discovery, and the profound connections built along the way. Our mission extends far beyond dental care: it is about empowering communities, opening doors for future health professionals, and creating experiences that leave a lasting mark on both volunteers and the families we serve.
Clara, a dedicated student from South Carolina, is one of those volunteers whose journey reminds us why this work matters.
Clara embarked on her first volunteer trip with Smiles Movement in May of last year. From the moment she arrived in Peru, she was immersed in the energy of communities eager for care and connection. She spent her days assisting families who often have limited access to oral health services, helping organize clinics, and shadowing dentists who guided her through each step of the process.
What she found was more than a volunteering opportunity. It was a purpose. Peru left a deep impression on her, sparking a desire to return and continue giving back.
This year, Clara joined us once again, this time in Riobamba, Ecuador. The experience was different, deeper, and more hands-on.
“We filled some cavities, we extracted some teeth, and that is a really hands-on experience for me, which is why I think it’s my favorite station,” she shared.
For volunteers like Clara, these moments of dental volunteer work and direct patient care are transformative. They offer not only practical skills aligned with future dental careers but also a profound sense of purpose: knowing each action directly improves someone’s quality of life.
But Clara’s growth went beyond clinical practice. She embraced every part of the experience, from helping set up and organize clinic stations to supporting the logistics that keep everything running smoothly.
She also loved the journeys to remote towns, traveling through the mountains to reach communities that rarely receive dental care. These trips reminded her and all of us why accessibility matters, and how every volunteer plays a vital role in provide access to health services and bringing care to those who need it most.
These behind-the-scenes contributions reflect the collaborative spirit that defines Smiles Movement.
Clara’s story shines a light on what makes our programs so meaningful. Each volunteer clinic brings essential care to families who often go without it. But it also offers volunteers something equally valuable: a deeper understanding of community health, teamwork, and cultural exchange.
For students interested in dentistry and global health, experiences like Clara’s help build not only clinical skills but to make a lasting impact through empathy, confidence, and a renewed sense of purpose.
Clara’s journey is just one example of how transformative volunteer dental programs can be. Our clinics offer pre-dental students and aspiring professionals a rare chance to gain real-world clinical exposure, learn from experienced dentists, and immerse themselves in the cultures of Peru, Ecuador, and other Latin American communities we serve.
Through these experiences, volunteers don’t just prepare for their careers. They help create lasting change for families and communities.
Clara’s testimonial is just one of many that show the impact of our volunteer clinics. When you join Smiles Movement, you help deliver care to underserved communities while building your own skills and experiences. You can support this mission by exploring our Smiles brochures and sharing them with others.
Even more, you can directly assist communities in need by becoming a monthly donor. For less than one coffee a month, you can make an impact in low-income communities.