A team of students from the CU Anschutz School of Dental Medicine recently spent eight days in Roatán, Honduras, providing vital dental care to communities with limited access to services. Partnering with local organizations, the students gained firsthand experience in how environment and resources influence oral health needs.
The initiative is part of CU Anschutz Dental’s growing global health program, which gives students opportunities to work with diverse patient populations and develop confidence outside the traditional classroom and clinic.
Students stayed with local host families, who prepared daily meals and facilitated cultural immersion, emphasizing the value of community partnership. Their week combined clinical care, school outreach, community engagement, and structured reflection.
From Monday through Friday, students alternated between a local dental clinic and a mobile dental bus visiting nearby schools. They performed exams, cleanings, fluoride treatments, and oral hygiene instruction—often introducing children to dental care for the first time.
“Many of the kids we saw were having their very first dental visit,” said dental student Fallyn Freije. “Being able to help build trust early felt incredibly meaningful.”
Working with limited equipment forced students to rely on fundamental skills, careful judgment, and adaptability. Freije recalled treating a frightened 3-year-old with extensive decay using silver diamine fluoride. “It was emotional, but the mother trusted us completely,” she said.
Patients often traveled long distances, sometimes arriving by boat from surrounding islands before sunrise. The students said the effort and gratitude of patients left a lasting impression.
Language barriers added another layer of challenge, as translators were often needed. Students relied on nonverbal communication, visual demonstrations, and adjusted pacing to build trust. “The experience underscored that communication is key in dentistry, and trust can be established without words,” Freije noted.
Evenings included discussions on lessons learned and reflections on cultural and community contexts, helping students understand the broader factors that affect oral health.
“This trip affirmed that dentistry can change lives in simple, meaningful ways,” Freije said. “It taught me that being a provider is about service, compassion, and using your skills to help someone, no matter how big or small the intervention.”
CU Anschutz dental students will continue gaining global experience with upcoming trips to Brazil, Honduras, and Guatemala. Faculty and alumni can support these initiatives through the CU Anschutz Dental Global Health Giving Fund, which offsets student travel and lodging costs. Donors can select “write in” under gift designation and type “CU Dental Global Health Fund.”