Do you crave the opportunity to travel to a developing country and volunteer your time, skills and efforts to complete dental volunteering abroad projects? If the answer is yes, then you are in the right place, as we offer the most impactful dentist volunteer opportunities in Jamaica.
Whether you are a dentist with your own practice, a dental aid/assistant, or a dental student seeking to gain work experience, our dental volunteer abroad projects can be customized just for you to help you achieve your goals. You can shadow a local dentist, on one hand, perform complex dental work and procedures (if you are suitably qualified), visit children homes and poor communities to perform dental check-ups, and much more.
Our dentistry volunteering projects are available year-round, so if you are interested in joining read through the information about this project, then submit a booking form if you are ready to join, or you may submit an inquiry to ask us any questions.
No qualifications or experience is required if you are a high school student, or a dental/medical student looking to learn more about the field of dentistry while observing and performing basic tasks.
Dentists, dental hygienists, or other dental professionals seeking to do more advanced procedures, or to fully practice must be certified by a reputable institution in your home country. You are required to submit proof of your qualifications along with your application to join advanced volunteer dentistry abroad projects.
Once you are accepted to join our dental volunteering abroad project, your Project Advisor will get in touch with you to discuss your goals for your project, and the various activities you would like to engage in. You should begin thinking about these activities from now so that your project can make the best impact as possible.
Some ideas you could think about include:
These are just some examples. Feel free to discuss any other activities you would like to engage in during your project.
Your Project Advisor will accompany you to your volunteer site on the first day of your dental volunteer abroad project to introduce you to the local team you will be working with, show you around the property and assist you with making lunch arrangements. You will get orientation and training from your direct supervisor, who will guide you during your project.
During weekends and some weekdays after you have completed your volunteer dentistry abroad project, you can embark on fun cultural immersion activities and excursions to see some of the top attractions in Jamaica, while you are immersed in our culture. Visit our tour and adventure website to browse all our amazing packages to add some excitement to your dentist volunteer opportunities.
When your dental volunteering abroad project is complete, you will be awarded a Dentistry Volunteering Certificate, signed by our Managing Director. We will also sign any documents that you need to certify volunteer/service hours completed on your trip.
You may collect or purchase cash or items back home that you can take along with you to Jamaica. These resources could range from medical supplies to help with your volunteer work, toothbrushes, toothpaste, floss, pamphlets/guides, equipment and more.
We will send you a list of needed resources for the facility you are placed in, as well as those needed for the activities you have chosen to do during your dentist volunteer abroad trip.
*All fees listed below are in USD
We want your dentistry volunteering programs to help you build the future you want to create. Jamaica International Projects wants to ensure your experience is a safe and fulfilling one.
Here are some of the highlights of the project:
Our primary accommodation is Barnett’s Homestay, located in the quiet community of Portmore, St. Catherine. You will stay with Jomo Barnett, the Director of Jamaica International Projects, and his family during your project. This is your chance to live with a Jamaican family and learn our culture.
A great volunteer dentistry abroad project secures your safety, ensures you have a great time, and offers enough guidance to help you navigate the new terrain. Jamaica International Projects provides the support you need to ensure you are capitalizing on your strengths while working in a field that gives you the experiences you need.
We kick off your project with an orientation session that sets you up to succeed. We want you to have fun making new discoveries and memories, so we give you the support you need to ensure you have the right expectations. Orientation helps you to hit the ground running so you can dive right into your adventure knowing what to expect. We help you flatten the initial learning curve so you can navigate the intricacies of the culture and your project with ease.
With Jamaica International Projects, you’ll have the opportunity to meet like-minded volunteers who will inspire and support you on your adventure. Your peers have the potential to become lifelong friends. You will also have daily debriefing sessions with your Project Advisor so you can talk about any concerns you may have or simply share how your day has been.
Your Program Advisor will be certified in first aid and will always be on-site at your homestay. To ensure your safety, you’ll be accompanied by your Program Advisor on the first day of your project. Your Program Advisor will give you the support you need and answer all your questions to help you feel comfortable. In the event of an emergency, you can expect your Program Advisor’s support. We also ensure that you’ll be volunteering and living in a secure facility. All homestays are equipped with security cameras and systems.
For your comfort, all homestays are also equipped with free wifi, air conditioning, cable television, refrigerators, and snack stations. You will have access to a shared dorm room with spacious bunk beds and your rooms will be cleaned daily. Families and couples may request private rooms at an additional cost.
Unlike other gap year organizations, you will be paired with the Barnett family, the Directors of our company where you will live in a Jamaican household. Prepare to be treated like a member of our family, rather than a mere guest.
Speaking of delicious meals, breakfast and dinner options are included in your program cost. If you have special dietary needs, please this with us. Among others, we cater to volunteers who need accommodations for gluten-free, vegan, or diabetic diets.
Each night there’ll be something fun planned to help you unwind, or if you rather spend some downtime, that is an option as well. On weekends we tend to go out for some awesome tours and adventures, which is included in your first week. We arrange age-appropriate outings such as trips to the movies, bars/clubs, nice Jamaican restaurants, and more.
We provide all transportation to and from all activities.
What do you need to start the dental hygiene volunteer abroad program? The minimum age to enroll is 16 years old and the maximum age limit is 30. As long as you are in good health you’re welcome to spend your gap year with us. At the same time, it is recommended that you opt for projects that allow you to transfer skills while learning something new. It simply makes it easier for you to jump right in and get started.
Once you have chosen your project and paid your tuition, there are a few documents we’ll ask you to share with us.
Email these to your Project Advisor during the enrollment process.
When you are ready to enroll in our dental volunteer abroad program, you can begin our simple enrollment process. Our team is always just a quick call or message away. Follow these steps to start planning and preparing for the perfect dentistry volunteering project.
Read through this page, what is included in our dental volunteer programs and decide if this project is a right fit for you. Consider the costs involved, project durations, the requirements, and what you are able to do.
Feel free to learn more about us and what we stand for. Read about us, check out our reviews, download our gap year brochure, or read through our FAQ.
Start talking with your parents or guardian, friends, academic advisors, or mentors about taking a gap year, why you want to join and what you hope to accomplish during your trip. Be sure to share our website or brochure with them.
Reach out to us to connect with a Project Advisor who will guide you through the enrollment process, answer any questions you have, help you set your goals and itinerary, and meet with you and your parents or guardians to provide more information.
Complete the application form. By applying you won’t be making a commitment or locking yourself into the project, so you are free to explore other options and compare our projects with other gap year companies. Instead, your application will help us better advise you, plan your itinerary and customize a project for you. We review and respond to applications within 48 hours.
Schedule a virtual meeting with us. If you are under 18, you are required to have a parent or guardian present. Meetings are done on Zoom, Google Meets, or via phone call.
Review the offer email, which includes the cost, sample itinerary, what is included, and what you need to submit.
Pay the Enrollment Fee and a deposit on the Project Tuition. You have the option to pay the Project Tuition in full or request a payment plan.
Submit outstanding payments and documents
The documents you should submit include:
Within a month of the start date of your dental volunteering abroad program, we will host a 2-hour onboarding call on Zoom or Google Meets with you. This includes an official welcome, tips and guides, and interactive lessons on Jamaican culture, Patois (our local dialect), and a lesson on safety and security. You can do the session in a single sitting or as two separate sessions (1 hour long each).
Check your passport to ensure it will not expire during your trip, research if you need a visa to stay in Jamaica, obtain a travel medical insurance plan that covers you during your entire gap year in Jamaica, and book your flights.
Confirm that all fees are paid, and submit all required documents.
There is no restriction on the nationalities that can participate in our gap year travel programs. Our only restriction is the age range of our participants, which is between 16 and 30 years old.
Click this link to view the various gap year projects that we offer.
Yes! Read our reviews to see what our past volunteers and interns have to say about us, and during the enrollment process, you can request to connect with a past volunteer/intern.
Yes. Depending on what time of the year you join your gap year program, you may be the only participant, or you may meet a couple of fellow gap year voyagers during your project.
You must be between the ages of 16 and 30. For a full list of requirements check out this list.
Jamaica is an English-speaking country, so you should be able to read, write and speak English (you don’t need to be fluent).
No experience or qualifications are required just a willingness to do a great job and have lots of fun. We encourage you to share any dietary needs or any special accommodations needed for your participation. Feel free to contact us if you have any questions about choosing the right program for you.
In addition to the Project Tuition and Enrollment Fee, you will need to properly budget for your gap semester program so you get the most out of your experience without worrying about your finances.
While we offer gap year travel programs that cover your accommodation, transportation, meals, and some fun weekend excursions, other expenses you may need to consider include:
We accept payments by credit card or international wire transfer. You have the option to pay in full or go on a payment plan.
We have a detailed fundraising guide where you can create a crowdfunding campaign for your project to help raise the funds to cover your trip, or for awesome fundraising ideas. While we do not currently offer sponsorship or grants directly, you should check with your school, parents, guardians and mentors for any travel grants or scholarships available, and we will help you with any paperwork you need.
For the best experience, we recommend starting on the same date as your program outlines (usually on a Sunday). This helps to reduce confusion about what is expected of you since you’ll be a part of an initial orientation session.
If you need to arrive earlier or later than the start of the program, please let us know before enrolling and we will try our best to work with you.
Absolutely! Everything is better with friends. You can join with a parent, friend, sibling, or spouse and share a room (based on availability).
Yes! We take your safety and security seriously. Some steps we take to keep you safe during your trip include:
Follow this link for more information on how we keep you safe.
Overall, I had an amazing time with this program. I love how individualize the projects were and how Jomo really invested his time into making sure you enjoyed each experience. Working with the nutritionist was a wonderful time for me and taught me many lessons that I will use as a further in my career. As well as, as the children’s home open my eyes to a whole different side of life that I have never seen before. As far as the accommodation goes, it was excellent. I enjoyed getting to know him and his guest that were staying.
For the future, hopefully, there will be more volunteers than one at a time. I enjoyed the alone time because part of the reason I came on this trip was to get away from all the drama in my life back home! But for others, they might get kind of bored or lonely. All in all, I will remember this trip always and glad I had such a great experience!
WONDERFUL EXPERIENCE. This was a life changing experience. The children were so great. They gave me and taught me so much more than I gave them. This was one of the most satisfying trips I’ve ever done. Jomo, his mother and Dwayne were great hosts and caretakers. Jamaica and its people will forever be in my heart.
Unforgettable experience! All of you should try it. It was only my first-time volunteering and I’d love to do it again through the same Jamaica International Projects.
