Global Health Initiatives

The University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) offers transformative opportunities for dental students to engage in global health learning and activities. Through these activities, we aim to:

Better reflect contemporary approaches in global health;
Provide opportunities to learn about health issues and solutions; and
Increase population-based activities while also retaining individual-level clinical training.

Overview

Our global health activities include four elective courses, consisting of two didactic courses and two international service-learning trips to Brazil and Honduras.

Brazil

Oral Health and International Service Learning in Brazil

This immersive experience in Brazil goes beyond traditional clinical practice, encouraging dental students to broaden their perspective on global oral health by actively engaging within communities and understanding broader public health aspects. Students will learn about dental care and dental education in Brazil while traveling to various community sites to observe how dental care is provided in different settings. Additionally, students will engage in interprofessional learning activities and participate in delivering preventative oral health services.

This course is offered in partnership with Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo in Vitoria, Brazil. Speaking Portuguese is not required, but a Portuguese language seminar is offered for students to learn common phrases and dental terminology prior to travel.

Honduras

Oral Health and International Service Learning in Roatan, Honduras

Dental students seeking an advanced understanding of oral health care delivery systems in different cultural contexts will find this service-learning trip to Honduras highly engaging. Students will learn first-hand how nonprofit organizations contribute to the overall well-being of communities worldwide by implementing comprehensive and sustainable oral health practices. CU SDM students will participate in oral health related activities at elementary schools and provide preventive and clinical oral health services at Clinica Esperanza Roatan, a nonprofit community health center.

Speaking Spanish is not required, but a Spanish language seminar is offered for students to learn common phrases and dental terminology prior to travel.

Introduction to Global Health, Policy, and Humanitarianism

Introduction to Global Health, Policy, and Humanitarianism is a foundational course offered in the Spring semester. This course will expand students’ understanding of global health concepts, especially concerning oral health in low-resource areas, global health policy, and humanitarian work. A flexible format combines asynchronous and in-person classes, literature review discussions, PowerPoint presentations, and guest speaker sessions. This course serves as a valuable preparatory experience, equipping students with essential knowledge for their participation in global health initiatives and service-learning trips.

A three-hour, self-paced online course from the American Dental Association and the FDI World Dental Federation will be embedded into this course, and a certificate of completion will be awarded.

Students must be in good academic standing to participate in global health electives (both didactic and service-learning trips).

DDS students in their first, second or third year and ISP students in their first or second year are eligible to take both didactic courses, Introduction to Global Health, Policy and Humanitarianism and Introduction to One Health and Oral Health.

For the service-learning trips to Brazil and Honduras, students complete a short application process. Up to six students are selected for the Brazil trip and four students are selected for the Honduras trip. There are additional eligibility requirements based on a student’s cohort year. DDS students in their third and fourth years and ISP students in their second year are eligible to participate in both service-learning trips.

There are no additional tuition and academic fees associated with these global health elective courses for CU SDM students. However, the service-learning trips have travel-related costs which may include airfare, lodging and other costs dependent on the location of the trip. Required University health and liability insurance will be provided by the dental school based on availability of funds. At this time, additional travel support through a scholarship award is unavailable.

All global health activities are course-based. Upon successful completion of each activity, students will receive a grade which will be recorded in their official University transcript. Students completing these courses will gain understanding and lifelong appreciation for international health issues as they relate to oral health.

Global health is an activity in the Department of Community Dentistry and Population Health (CDPH). If you are interested in learning more, please contact:

Elizabeth Shick, DDS, MPH
Associate Professor, CU School of Dental Medicine
sdm-globalhealth@cuanschutz.edu

Donate to CDPH’s global health gift fund to help support students’ educational opportunities. Under "gift designation" select "write in" and type "CU Dental Global Health Fund."

Support Our Students

Global Health Resources

Draft Global Oral Health Action Plan (2023–2030) (World Health Organization)
Vision 2030: Delivering Optimal Oral Health for All (World Dental Federation)
Basic Package of Oral Care (World Health Organization)
Prevention and treatment of dental cares with mercury-free products and minimal intervention (World Health Organization)

School of Dental Medicine

CU Anschutz

School of Dental Medicine

13065 East 17th Avenue

Aurora, CO 80045

303-724-6900

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Global Health Initiatives

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Global Health Initiatives

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