Getting real-world experience isn’t just about adding another line to your resume—it’s about building the confidence you’ll need when you step into your future career. Dental volunteer work gives students the chance to step outside of their comfort zones, sharpen their skills, and connect with patients in a way that classroom learning simply can’t replicate.
Yomna Kashlan, a pre-dental student doctor from the University of South Florida, shared her story about how volunteering abroad transformed her outlook on dentistry—and herself.
Gaining Confidence by Stepping Into the Unknown
"I would say go in with an open mind," Yomna said, reflecting on her time working in an international student dental clinic. "The care that people get here is very different from what you see in the United States."
When students volunteer abroad, they quickly learn that dental care looks different in every part of the world. Supplies might be limited. Procedures might feel unfamiliar. But that’s part of what makes the experience so powerful. You have to adapt, stay open, and find ways to help with whatever resources are available.
Through this process, students like Yomna realize how much they can handle—even when situations are new or challenging. That kind of growth builds real confidence, the kind that will carry them through dental school and into their future careers.
Learning Compassion and Communication Through Patient Care
During her volunteer work, Yomna assisted a young girl who was nervous about getting a tooth extraction. Instead of just focusing on the procedure, Yomna made it her goal to comfort the child and ease her fear.
"I just kept trying my best to make her laugh," she said. "I love working with kids, so I hope that made her feel better."
These moments show how dental volunteer work isn’t just technical—it’s deeply personal. Being able to comfort and connect with patients, especially young ones, is a skill that future dentists need just as much as clinical know-how. Experiences like this help pre-dental student doctors see the impact of compassion in real-world settings.
Why Volunteering Abroad Matters for Pre-Dental Students
Yomna’s story is a great example of what students gain when they volunteer in dental clinics around the world. Beyond the hours of shadowing and assisting, they walk away with:
- Hands-on clinical skills
- Real-world problem solving
- Improved communication with diverse patients
- Stronger cultural understanding
- Greater resilience and adaptability
Most importantly, they leave feeling more confident, not just in their technical skills, but in their ability to make a real difference in patients’ lives.
If you're looking for a way to grow beyond the classroom, volunteering in a student dental clinic abroad might be exactly the experience you need.
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