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 being in the United States. Bob Marley’s “One Love” mantra is instilled in them from an early age and transverses the entire island. Even in the local schools we visited for educational health promotion, the children were so nice and respectful. Their matching uniforms, standing up when we walked into each classroom, and the joy on their faces when we gave them something as simple as a toothbrush and a sticker.

On the first day of clinic, one dental hygiene student and I were on a bus that was parked at the Ochos Rios Resort location so we could treat the staff working at Sandals. It was nice seeing the patients later while at work, showing off their newly cleaned teeth, recognizing us, and thanking us yet again. The other clinic’s location was a short bus ride away and when we arrived every day there was a large group of people waiting at the gates in hopes of being seen. Some of them traveled hours away, and some even waited the entire day without being seen. The clinic experience was unlike anything I’ve ever experienced, in a good way. Honestly, I didn’t want to stop seeing patients. Four o’clock came too soon every day. During our cultural day, we took a bus to multiple impoverished areas to pass out supplies and gifts. Kids were running up left and right to us with widened eyes as we passed out shoes, toothbrushes, soccer balls, socks, blankets, and toys galore. Again, even though they were living in makeshift homes in undesirable conditions, they were so thankful for everything we gave them.

The 10 days flew by so fast. It was a lot of work in extremely warm temperatures, but it was worth every fundraiser and preparatory step to get there. I look forward to doing this humanitarian mission again as a licensed dental hygienist in the years to come. I want to thank Mrs. Krueger and SPC for allowing us to have this once-in-a-lifetime opportunity.
– Joshua, SPC Jamaica Dental Study Abroad Program, October 2023