Clara, a student from South Carolina, joined her second Smiles Movement service learning trip in Riobamba, Ecuador. Having first volunteered in Peru, she wanted to continue her journey as a dental volunteer and build on her first experience. For Clara, these trips have become an important way to grow her skills while contributing to communities that need expanded access to care. Her story reflects why real-world experience matters for pre-dental students.
Returning for a Second Trip
Clara’s first service learning trip took place in Peru. That experience left a strong impression on her because she was able to connect with the community, shadow dentists, and take part in meaningful clinical work. Inspired by those opportunities, she joined another trip—this time to Ecuador—to further her learning as a dental volunteer overseas. Her experience is similar to Zoe’s Smiles Experience, another student who returned for additional growth.
Hands-On Dental Experience
In Ecuador, Clara gained valuable exposure by helping with procedures such as cavity fillings and tooth extractions. She explained that assisting in these areas quickly became her favorite part of the program. Getting the chance to contribute at this level gave her both practical skills and a stronger interest in dentistry. This type of dental assistant volunteer work allowed her to feel like an active part of the team, reinforcing her commitment to pursuing dentistry as a career. Similar opportunities are described in How a Dental Volunteer Trip Can Prepare You for Your Career in Dentistry.
Beyond the Clinic
Clara also enjoyed aspects of the trip outside the dental stations. She spoke about setting up clinics, organizing supplies, and ensuring that everything ran smoothly for the community and the medical team. These responsibilities provided her with a broader perspective on what it takes to coordinate healthcare in underserved areas. Her involvement reflects the impact seen in volunteer travel programs for adults, where preparation and logistics are key to success.
Growth Through Volunteering
For Clara, her second trip was not just about refining technical skills. It also deepened her understanding of what it means to provide care with compassion and cultural awareness. She appreciated how every volunteer contributes to the overall impact, whether through clinical support, logistics, or patient education. This type of growth is explained further in How Volunteer Trips Prepare You for the Real-World Challenges of Dentistry.
Her testimonial highlights how being a dental volunteer is more than shadowing or observing. It is about direct involvement, teamwork, and creating lasting change for the communities served.
Join the Smiles Movement to Promote Oral Health
Clara’s story is one example of how transformative these service learning trips can be for students. If you want to gain hands-on experience, develop your skills, and support global health, consider becoming a dental volunteer with us. Explore our brochures to learn more about upcoming opportunities. You can also make a donation to support our programs. For less than one coffee a month, you can make an impact in low-income communities while helping future dental professionals grow.
