Nepal » International programs seek volunteers for upcoming missions

Canterbury, Kent, United Kingdom—SmileHigh, a dental charity that serves children in Nepal, is seeking volunteers to join a dental aid expedition to the Everest region.

The expedition, set for March 29-April 12, 2011, coincides with the 50th anniversary of the opening of the Khumjung School built by Sir Edmund Hillary. Logistics for the expedition will be supplied by Mountain Experience with assistance from Himalayan Experience Ltd.

“This is a significant opportunity for those who want to contribute something and experience and enjoy the gateway to the Everest region,” said Dr. Julian Haszard, SmileHigh co-founder and orthodontist in Canterbury. A dentist with a passion for mountain climbing, adventure and volunteer dentistry, Dr. Haszard has been hosting dental expeditions in Nepal since 2004. Nondental members are also welcome. A basic level of fitness is required.

For more information, contact Dr. Haszard by e-mailing julian@haszard.co.nz or log on to www.SmileHigh.net.

Other organizations offering international volunteer opportunities include:

* Health Volunteer Overseas—HVO is recruiting dental volunteers to work in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania-Muhimbili University. Volunteers will provide chairside instruction and lectures to the faculty at Muhimbili University and assist them with revising the current curriculum. Areas of focus are oral surgery, orthodontics, preventive and restorative dentistry. Opportunities are also available to provide continuing education at the annual meeting of the Tanzania Dental Association. Minimum length of assignment is two weeks. Housing is available at local hotels. Contact Barbara Edwards at HVO by calling 1-202-296-0928 or e-mailing b.edwards@hvousa.org.
* Vets With A Mission—VWAM is planning its first humanitarian trip to Cambodia, June 15-30, 2011. The team is scheduled to go to Phnom Penh, Siem Reap and Anlong Veng. Nonveterans are also encouraged to join the team. The team will spend two nights in Phnom Penh before beginning seven days of medical teamwork. Visit VWAM’s website, www.vetswithamission.org, to download an application.
* Haitian and Dominican Assistance Corporation—HDAC focuses on providing primary medical care, education, agriculture and vocational training in Haiti and the Dominican Republic. Dental volunteers are needed for trips in 2011. E-mail ritzenchuck@gmail.com or call 1-615-347-8899 for details.
* The Miracle Foundation—Dedicated to empowering children to reach their full potential, one orphan at a time, the foundation seeks dental professional volunteers for a trip to India in October 2011. The program fee is $800 plus airfare to Delhi. For more information, contact Barbara Joubert by calling 1-512-329-8635 or e-mailing Barbara@MiracleFoundation.org.

Visit the ADA’s International Volunteer Web page, http://internationalvolunteer.ada.org, to search for volunteer opportunities by organization, country/region, program type and more, or contact the ADA Division of Global Affairs for more information 1-312-440-2726.
Children in the Samagon region of Nepal show off their new toothbrushes and toothpaste
SmileHigh: Children in the Samagon region of Nepal show off their new toothbrushes and toothpaste at a SmileHigh dental education and treatment mission in August 2009. Photo by Mike Scott