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NOTE: Program Cancelled
Deadline: Mar. 1, 2020
Course Dates: Aug. 12 – Dec. 7, 2020
Travel Dates: Oct. 16- 25, 2020
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 2020 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
DEH 2702C Community Dental Health Practicum 1 credit
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.
Day 2 down…. Wonderful experiences here in Jamaica and in the white-house clinic we are working in. I did oral hygiene care on 8 patients and administered local anesthesia to four. Here’s a pic of one of my patients. -Desiree Suarez — Follow us on:
Here’s a pic of our roughing it resort (just kidding). The resort is amazing. -Desiree Suarez
WOW is all I can say about my experience so far here in Jamaica! The need for dental work is so high and it is hard to know that no matter how hard I am working to see as many patients as possible, I will never get through all of the people that are waiting … Continue reading Speechless in Jamaica…
Well today at our morning meeting I volunteered to stay back at the Sandals resort staff clinic and do hygiene care on the staff of the resort instead of going to the New Market location I was originally assigned. We set up a similar clinic as to the one we setup at New Market which … Continue reading Giving patients a new start by Anna Faiola
First day of seeing patients completed. We all have different stories to tell and so many pictures to share, but the wifi service here is not always working. I will try to post as much as I can. For now I’ll share a pic of the beautiful lush grounds here in Jamaica. It’s been a … Continue reading Nothing can over shadow this wonderful experience in Jamaica! by Edina Kurtovic
Yesterday was great after we arrived at the Sandals resort the Sandals staff met us at the entrance with cool, wet towels to clean ourselves, which was nice after the long three hour bus ride from Montego Bay to Whitehouse Jamaica. The resort is so beautiful that words can’t describe. Dinner last night was incredible … Continue reading Getting started in Jamaica! by Anna Faiola
Up early off to the airport for my first mission trip in Jamaica. It is 6:30 am and I just finished my big breakfast that way I will be full for the long flight. Well I arrived at Orlando international airport where I met the rest of my fellow classmates. I am so excited to … Continue reading A trip of a Lifetime!!! by Nathan Lapointe
Pre-departure message from the Jamaica Study Abroad Professor: “Our Study Abroad experience is upon us ladies and gentlemen. May we have a great time, positive life changing experiences, may everyone be safe and hopefully a little sunshine too. Go away hurricane we have some dentistry to do out in the Jamaican communities.” -Amy VanEss Krueger
The SPC Dental Hygiene students are ready for their Study Abroad program! It is a little over a week before our departure to Jamaica to provide dental work through the Great Shapes! organization. We have spent a lot of time getting donations of both supplies and money and everything is set to go! We have … Continue reading Dental Hygiene students prepare for their Study Abroad program to Jamaica: It’s almost departure time! by Molly Espino
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), … Continue reading Dental Hygiene Service Learning Experience in Jamaica by Anna Faiola