It was Martin Luther King, Jr. who once wisely said, "There is nothing greater than to do something for others." If you’re a dentist or dental professional who embraces this mindset, get ready for some great news!

If you’re involved with a U.S.-based nonprofit organization working to improve access to oral health care in underserved communities outside the U.S., funding is available for your work. You have until April 26 to apply for the American Dental Association (ADA) Foundation Grant for International Dental Volunteer Projects.

The most successful dentists stay dedicated to the profession by exploring other opportunities in the field. Volunteering your time, skills, and services for the betterment of others is one way to revitalize, strengthen, and sustain enthusiasm in your career.

The grants available through the ADA are up to $5,000 and are designed to support dental outreach programs.

Five organizations were selected to receive these grants in 2018. The recipients were the Colonial Presbyterian Church in Kansas City for its work in Guatemala; Global Dental Relief in Denver for its work in Nepal; Medical Eye Dental International Care Organization (MEDICO) in Northlake, Illinois, for its work in Honduras; Open Wide Foundation in Scottsdale, Arizona, for its work in Guatemala; and Strong Villages in Agoura Hills, California, for its work in Belize, Ecuador and India.

Who Can Get Involved?

As a dentist or dental hygienist, your unique skill set is quite portable. With the help of some basic equipment and instruments, a rudimentary dental clinic can be set up anywhere just about in the world.

Although international medical volunteers are statistically practitioners in their middle years or close to retirement, those in the early years of practice, teaching, or even those still in dental school can gain a lifetime of satisfaction by getting involved.

International colleagues in many developing countries are eager to learn from their U.S. counterparts as well as share their own techniques.

Learn more about the grant at ADAFoundation.org/en/how-to-apply/access-to-care#IntlGrant.

For those interested in volunteering internationally, visit the ADA Foundation's international volunteer website, ADAFoundation.org/internationalvolunteer.