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Application Deadline:
Closed
Course Dates: January 13 – May 9, 2025
Travel Dates: January 17 – 26, 2025
Dental Hygiene Service Learning Experience in the Bahamas
This is a service learning experience through an organization called Great Shape!, Inc., that was established in 1988. One of Great Shape’s programs is called “1000 Smiles project.” While the primary purpose is to help those in need, there is plenty of cross cultural interaction, and learning.
During the week-long experience (approximately 32 hours), the group will divide into 3 or 4 separate teams consisting of dentists, assistants, hygienists, and other helpers. Each team is assigned to a different location. Portable dental equipment will be set up for use in temporary clinic locations ranging from country schools to rural health and hotel clinics, where dental hygiene services and care will be provided. The volunteers will also distribute toothbrushes and toothpaste, while providing patient education in oral health in the local schools and throughout the island community. This International experience will count as practicum hours for the course DEH 2702C.
Think you can’t afford to study abroad? Scholarships and other ways to fund your study abroad program are available. Explore scholarship options now.
Available courses – Students must enroll in the course listed below during the spring semester in order to be able to participate.
Note: Students must confirm with an academic advisor that they meet all college enrollment requirements AND course prerequisites to be eligible to enroll in the course listed. Students receiving financial aid must confirm with a financial aid advisor whether their study abroad course will be covered by financial aid.
Professor: Amy Krueger
Lead faculty contacts
After you submit the application online, we will review your application and e-mail you with details of scheduling your interview with the Bahamas Dental program lead faculty, Amy Krueger, 727-341-3691.
Other SPC Study Abroad trips
Learn more about other Study Abroad countries where SPC students have made their mark.
Student Travel Blog – For a taste of what it’s like to study abroad, or to follow our students as they travel, read posts from the study abroad blog below.
One of the main reasons why I applied to the St. Peterburg College dental hygiene program was because it was the only program at least in Florida that offered a study-abroad volunteering experience for their students. However, I was questioning applying near the deadline since school was very hectic and I work a part-time job, … Continue reading SPC Bahamas: Knowledge, teamwork, amazing memories, and satisfaction!
My name is Jessica I’m a second-year dental hygiene student who went on the SPC study abroad trip to the Bahamas. Our mission was to strengthen our clinical skills while providing dental treatment to those in need. Most of the people we treated had never had a dental cleaning or been to a dentist. The … Continue reading SPC Bahamas: I loved every minute of the experience!
I am grateful to SPC for providing such a wonderful opportunity for students to participate in a study abroad program. Since I started my studies at SPC, I have had numerous chances to be part of something truly meaningful. I had the incredible opportunity to take part in the SPC study abroad program, where I … Continue reading SPC Bahamas: A chance to be part of something truly meaningful.
Breathtaking. That is the first word that comes to mind when I begin to reminisce. This study abroad opportunity with St. Petersburg College and Great Shape is an experience that I will never forget. The country of the Bahamas itself and its people are absolutely beautiful. From the moment we landed, we were treated with … Continue reading SPC Bahamas: An experience that I will never forget.
I had the opportunity to spend 10 days in the Bahamas to provide dental care to those who don’t have access. It was such a humbling experience, and I am grateful for the chance to be a part of this project. Great shapes had four clinics set up in different locations to be able to … Continue reading SPC Bahamas: Thankful for the scholarship and for this life changing experience.
This SPC dental hygiene study abroad program in Nassau, Bahamas was a wonderful experience that I will cherish in my heart forever. It was a great privilege to be able to work with the non-profit organization, Great Shape! 1000 Smiles, to treat and educate all of my patients there. Whether they were part of the … Continue reading SPC Bahamas: A wonderful experience that I will cherish in my heart forever!
I recently had the opportunity to provide free dental care to underserved patients in the Bahamas, one of the most beautiful countries I have ever been to. Nine classmates and I were selected to go on this incredible journey together as a team. It began with one flight connecting us in Atlanta and the next … Continue reading SPC Bahamas: SPC gave me the experience of a lifetime.
The moment I was accepted into the Study Abroad program to provide dental care to the Bahamian people, I knew that I would be making a lasting impact on them. This is especially true given their limited access to dental care.When we arrived in the Bahamas, I wasn’t sure what to expect. I’ve never traveled … Continue reading SPC Bahamas: It gave me insight into where I could be with my career in the next few years.
One of my first thoughts on my flight back from this study abroad experience, was “how do I even describe these incredibly profound experiences to people who were not there to experience it?” How do I describe the pure warmth I felt from working with such kind and grateful people every day? The indescribable kindling … Continue reading SPC Bahamas: An incredibly profound experience
This experience has shown me the purest form of love by the people of Jamaica. I feel like a changed person from this trip, it has shaped me into a more compassionate person. I not only improved my clinical skills but also my people skills, I am a much stronger clinician for my patients because … Continue reading Jamaica changed me for life