Our Global Reach

Participants will visit the University of São Paulo School of Dentistry in Bauru and its renowned Craniofacial Hospital, engaging with faculty, residents, and Brazilian dental students. The program includes opportunities to observe clinical activities and pre-clinical labs, as well as visits to hospitals affiliated with the dental school, where students can shadow oral and maxillofacial surgeries. This hands-on experience offers invaluable exposure to diverse clinical environments and advanced dental care practices.

Beyond the clinical training, the Brazil trip provides deep cultural immersion, allowing students to form meaningful connections with local faculty and students. Participants are inspired by the overwhelming hospitality and warmth of the Brazilian people in Bauru and São Paulo. The experience also provides insight into Brazil’s healthcare system, including both free and private sectors, and emphasizes the universal need for dental services. The trip fosters personal and professional growth, broadening students’ perspectives on dentistry, global healthcare, and the importance of cultural exchange and human connection.

From May 26 to June 6, ASOD students will join their Ghanaian counterparts in Accra, participating in community-based dental care and clinical observations at the Medical and Dental Schools.

Ghana is a beautiful and safe country in West Africa, known for its rising standard of living and high-quality healthcare services. The University of Ghana’s 6-year academic dental program (BDS) provides a serene learning environment, supported by a world-class dental clinic that serves the local population in all fields of dentistry.

This unique opportunity integrates teaching, research, and clinical care, offering ASOD students a well-rounded and enriching global dental experience.

Since its inception in 2017, the project has involved collaboration with Yenepoya Dental College at Yenepoya University in Mangalore and JSS University in Mysore. Students observe and engage in preventative dental care for underserved populations in rural areas, gaining valuable insight into the oral health challenges faced by this culturally diverse community. The experience offers students the chance to understand the complexities of healthcare delivery in a resource-limited setting, while also learning about the integration of dental care with broader health and social assessments.

This immersive experience will focus on expanding students’ knowledge of dental biomaterials and clinical practices while exploring the differences between U.S. and Japanese dental schools.

Students will have the opportunity to observe cutting-edge clinical techniques in university hospitals and clinics, and learn about the production of dental biomaterials used daily in clinical settings. In addition to their academic engagements, students will visit several manufacturing companies throughout Japan to gain insight into the country’s innovative approach to dental biomaterials. This project promises a unique blend of academic, clinical, and industry-based learning in a culturally rich environment.

Originally launched in 2004 as a collaboration between UNC-Chapel Hill and the University of Mzuzu, this project provides students with the opportunity to observe and assist in emergency, preventative, and restorative dental care at Kamuzu Central Hospital, as well as in remote villages and schools across the country. Students work alongside local healthcare professionals to address the oral health needs of underserved populations while learning about the challenges faced by the Malawian healthcare system, such as resource scarcity and access to care.

In addition to the clinical experience, the Malawi Project emphasizes cultural immersion and community outreach. Students engage with local schools, providing oral hygiene education and distributing dental supplies, while also learning about the broader social challenges facing Malawian communities. The trip fosters personal growth, encouraging students to reflect on their own privilege and identity while recognizing the importance of representation in healthcare. Through this immersive experience, students gain a deeper understanding of global health disparities, cultural humility, and the vital role of service in promoting change.

From July 21 to August 1, 2025, students will travel with a dedicated team to multiple destinations, witnessing firsthand how dental education is delivered in Mexico while engaging in impactful community-based clinical screenings, oral hygiene education (including interactive puppet shows!), and providing clinical care.

The project will take students to a variety of locations, including the Universidad Autónoma de Guadalajara, an interuniversity alliance in Querétaro, the Querétaro clinic, the Child and Adolescent Morelense Hospital in Cuernavaca, and an orphanage. This dynamic and lively program offers a unique, hands-on experience, fostering both clinical skills and cultural understanding. This opportunity promises to be an enriching and engaging offering within the ASOD-Global program.

This exciting project builds on the strong relationship between ASOD and the University, fostering a history of meaningful exchanges.

During the first week, students will explore Moldova’s dental education and healthcare system, gaining hands-on clinical experience at both the School of Dentistry and private dental clinics. A cultural enrichment weekend will offer a chance to learn about Moldova’s rich history, with a visit to one of the country’s renowned wineries.

In the second week, students will work alongside Moldovan dental students to treat underserved children in the Dental School clinic. Many of the children are from rural areas or orphanages, providing ASOD students with valuable insight into the public health challenges facing vulnerable populations. This program offers a unique opportunity to collaborate internationally while making a meaningful impact on dental care in underserved communities.

This project provides a unique chance to explore oral and maxillofacial surgery, oral medicine, and public health in a diverse and culturally rich setting.

During the trip, students will rotate through various departments within the College of Dental Surgery at BPKIHS. Activities include observing minor oral surgical procedures, diagnosing and managing oral potentially malignant disorders, and engaging in interactive sessions such as case presentations, journal clubs, and seminars in both Oral Medicine and Maxillofacial Radiology, and Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery. Additional inquiries will be made to align activities with the students’ specific interests.

This program offers participants the chance to gain firsthand experience of Nepal’s healthcare system, while exploring the social determinants of health and the cultural influences on oral health in the region. It is a remarkable opportunity to deepen their understanding of global dentistry and healthcare in a unique and rewarding environment.

Since its inception in 2012, the project has focused on providing dental care to underserved populations in rural communities, with students collaborating with Makerere University’s College of Health Sciences. Students observe and engage in dental care across diverse clinical settings, including hospital clinics, operating rooms, and mobile community-based field clinics. Through this experience, students gain hands-on exposure to the unique oral health challenges faced by adults and children in resource-limited environments while contributing to both immediate care and long-term educational outreach.