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Application Closed.
Course Dates: Aug. 14 – Dec. 15, 2023
Travel Dates: Oct. 21 – Oct. 30 , 2023
Dental Hygiene Service Learning Experience in Jamaica
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 fall 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 Jamaica Dental trip 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 in Jamaica, or to follow our students as they travel, read posts from the Jamaica blog below.
One of the greatest highlights throughout my journey in dental hygiene school has been the opportunity to travel to Jamaica. This opportunity allowed me to apply all the concepts that I have learned to be able to provide quality care to Jamaicans who reside in underserved communities. The moment that I arrived in Jamaica, I … Continue reading One Love!
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
Staying positive and going with the flow were the key topics during our trip to Jamaica. You never knew what the next patient had going on relating to their oral health and the goal was to see as many patients as possible. Many of the patients that we saw had never been to the dentist … Continue reading Transformative Journey: A Dental Hygiene Adventure in Jamaica
This program has been the highlight of my 2-year Dental Hygiene program. Before this experience, I never thought about the access to care that other countries, like Jamaica, lack. I saw firsthand how poor the communities we worked in were, yet every single person was so happy and loving. The culture was so different than … Continue reading SPC Jamaica Program: Once in a lifetime experience
Jamaica was an amazing experience! I am so grateful for this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity. The people of Jamaica were extremely grateful for the services we provided. The children are so respectful and appreciative. Visiting the impoverished areas was eye-opening and made me realize how much we take for granted. I believe this opportunity greatly improved not … Continue reading SPC Jamaica: An Amazing Experience
It is hard to find the right words to describe my study abroad experience in Jamaica. I knew when I applied that this would be a great experience and a way to sharpen my clinical skills as a dental hygienist. What I did not realize was how rewarding the humanitarian aspect of this opportunity would … Continue reading SPC Jamaica Program: Indescribable Experience
My name is Alison and I was gratefully chosen to go on a mission trip to Jamaica Study Abroad along with the rest of my other classmates. To begin to explain what this experience has done for me and still continue to do for me… well its simple. Life changing, rewarding, and pure. This trip … Continue reading SPC Jamaica program: Life changing, rewarding, and pure.
Each and every one of us has a story to tell and share with others. During my trip to Jamaica, I was able to meet wonderful unique individuals. I was fortunate enough to be able to listen to their life stories and for a short-while experience their culture. It was amazing to create everlasting bonds … Continue reading SPC Jamaica Study Abroad: Most Rewarding and Humbling
The trip to Jamaica was an incredible experience. It was one of the most humbling and eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had. There was a lot of preparation that had to be done before going on the trip but it was all worth it. We did a few garage sales, did a few spirit nights at … Continue reading SPC Jamaica Study Abroad: The most humbling and eye-opening experiences I’ve ever had.
Contagious happiness and generosity inspires long hours of service during study abroad in Jamaica. -Veronica Vazquez, SPC Student, Jamaica Dental Program, October 2018 The trip to Jamaica was a huge learning experience. From the initial brainstorming sessions for fundraisers until the last day of the trip, we had to learn how to capitalize on our … Continue reading SPC student commits to public health career after study in Jamaica