A dedicated group of students and faculty from the Arthur A. Dugoni School of Dentistry recently traveled to Jamaica to provide much-needed dental care, oral health screenings and education to underserved communities.

A total of 70 volunteers—including 61 dental students, four dental hygiene students and 9 faculty members—offered free care to more than 820 patients across clinics in Falmouth, Montego Bay and at a community site hosted by a local Sandals Resort.

“Being in Jamaica reminded me why I’m so passionate about serving others,” said Izzy Razmi ’26, one of the trip leaders. “It was incredibly humbling to care for patients who’ve had limited access to dental services and to witness firsthand how meaningful compassionate care can be.”

The service-learning trip was part of an ongoing partnership with the non-profit organization Great Shape! Inc.

Many of the patients treated had never seen a dentist. 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.

Razmi recounted a memorable case involving a local teacher who came to the clinic for four consecutive days. “Seven of our students collaborated to complete his care—including three root canals, a post/core build-up and multiple esthetic restorations,” she said. “Seeing 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.”

For many student volunteers, the trip served as a profound learning experience that highlighted the importance of prevention, education and empathy.

“During our oral hygiene instruction at a local school, I saw firsthand how lack of access to care affects children at such a young age,” said student Christina Hall ’27. “One little girl’s 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.”

Jack Bianchi ’27 echoed the sentiment. “It 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.”

Hailey Sonson ’27 shared a moment that left a lasting impression. “One 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’d be back next year, and in that moment, I felt so thankful for the opportunity to serve and for the privilege of being in this profession.”

Hall also reflected on the spirit of teamwork. “I’ll 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.”

Students at the Dugoni School organize and fund several service-learning trips throughout the year in addition to providing outreach to communities in the Bay Area and Sacramento.