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Outreach Brings Big Smiles to Underserved People of Jamaica
Over the week of September 29, a dedicated group of students and faculty from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry traveled to Jamaica to provide much-needed dental care, oral health screenings and education to underserved communities. The service-learning trip was part of an ongoing partnership with Great Shape! Inc., a non-profit organization the Dugoni School has collaborated with in previous years.
A total of 50 volunteers鈥攊ncluding 36 dental students, four dental hygiene students, and 10 faculty members鈥攐ffered free care to more than 820 patients across clinics in Clarkstown, Falmouth, and at a community site hosted by a local Sandals Resort. Many of the individuals treated had never before seen a dentist, making this experience both impactful and transformative for the patients and providers alike.
Services included dental cleanings, fluoride treatments, x-rays, fillings, extractions, root canals and comprehensive oral health education. Patients also received free dental hygiene kits to take home.
鈥淏eing in Jamaica reminded me why I鈥檓 so passionate about serving others,鈥� said Izzy Razmi, DDS Class of 2026, one of the trip leaders. 鈥淚t was incredibly humbling to care for patients who鈥檝e had limited access to dental services and to witness firsthand how meaningful, compassionate care can be.鈥�
Razmi recounted a memorable case involving a local teacher who came to the clinic for four consecutive days. 鈥淪even of our students collaborated to complete his care鈥攊ncluding three root canals, a post/core build-up, and multiple esthetic restorations,鈥� she said. 鈥淪eeing his transformation and the pure joy and gratitude on his face moved our entire team. It was a powerful reminder that dentistry can truly change lives.鈥�
For many student volunteers, the trip served as a profound learning experience that highlighted the importance of prevention, education and empathy.
鈥淒uring our oral hygiene instruction at a local school, I saw firsthand how lack of access to care affects children at such a young age,鈥� said Christina Hall, DDS Class of 2027. 鈥淥ne little girl鈥檚 black baby teeth really stuck with me. Teaching her and her classmates how to brush, floss, and make healthier food choices felt simple, but deeply meaningful. It reminded me that trust and communication are at the heart of good dentistry.鈥�
Jack Bianchi, DDS Class of 2027, echoed the sentiment. 鈥淚t quickly became evident that dentistry is not accessible to everyone, and that the services we were able to provide were highly valued. Whether it was a cleaning, extraction, or filling, every patient expressed sincere gratitude.鈥�
鈥淭he community opened their hearts and arms to all of us, which was so amazing,鈥� said Delara Fotovatjah, DDS Class of 2027. 鈥淥ne of my patients told me, 鈥楳ay God bless you for all that you do,鈥� which really showed me how much of an impact this trip made.鈥�
Hailey Sonson, DDS Class of 2027, shared a moment that left a lasting impression. 鈥淥ne experience I will always remember was finishing the restorations for a patient who had just completed root canal treatments on her two front teeth. She was young, had been in the chair for a long time, and I wanted to get it right. When we finished, her gratitude and the look on her face made everything worth it. She asked if we鈥檇 be back next year鈥攁nd in that moment, I felt so thankful for the opportunity to serve and for the privilege of being in this profession.鈥�
Hall also reflected on the spirit of teamwork. 鈥淚鈥檒l always remember the camaraderie within our team, the laughter after long clinic days, and the deep sense of joy in realizing how meaningful our collective effort was to the community.鈥�
