This application is for a Christian Dental Mission Trip to Jamaica.  The trip goal is to bring the Good News of Eternal Salvation through Jesus Christ to our Jamaican brothers and sisters through the gift of free Dental Care. The trip lasts 1 week and will be to the South Coast village of Hopewell, St. Elizabeth.  Typically, we arrive Saturday around 1:00PM, travel 2 1/2 hours to our South Coast destination, set up on Sunday, work Monday through Thursday. Friday is a fun day and we return on Saturday around 1:00PM. The cost is $850.00 plus your airfare. Dental procedures include cleanings, fillings, extractions and root canal therapy.  Everyone on the trip must have a servant's heart and be willing to put others ahead of themselves.  We work hard, deal with the heat, bugs, power outages, hunger, thirst, and difficult procedures, but the rewards are immense and  life changing. After reviewing the Frequently Asked Questions, click on the green Select tab on the upper right of this page to proceed with registration for this trip.

                  Frequently Asked Questions for the Jamaica Dental Mission Trip          

 1. How much extra money should I bring for the trip?

    We usually tell people to bring around $200. Each excursion, which we highly  recommend doing, is $40. The rest would be for souvenirs and extra food.  If you don’t have a lot of people to buy for, then you probably don’t need that much money. That’s just what we say to cover our bases. Also, bills smaller than $20 will  come in handy. 

  2. Where do we stay?

    We rent a couple villas that are all right near each other. Meals are eaten together at one    

of  the  houses. 

  3. Is it safe?

    Yes! It is very safe. We’ve been going to this area of Jamaica for over 20 years and the people in the neighborhoods know us. They respect us and are so thankful for all that we do for them. 

  4. What's our daily schedule like?

    Saturday: arrive in Montego Bay, Jamaica, late lunch at the Pork Pit (typical Jamaican food), 

     2 1/2 hr car ride to Treasure  Beach, where we stay for the week.

    Sunday: an excursion to YS Falls late morning and clinic set up in the afternoon. 

    Monday-Thursday: wake up at your leisure, workout if it pleases you, lay out if the sun is calling your name, breakfast together at 8am, devotions at 8:30,  leave for clinic at 9, arrive at clinic 9:30. Work 10-6? 7? 8? We usually work until between 6-7 but if there happens to be a complicated extraction that  goes late, which  probably will happen, we could be there later. Dinner  together when we are all done, then night swim? Cards? Admire the stars?  Alcohol is not permitted at the villas.  

     Friday: excursion on the ocean and Black River and fun in the sun all day!       

    Saturday: return home (travel all day)

 5. Do we really have to pack in only one carry-on? 

    Yes. We are bringing bags of supplies that we need to check through under all of our names. You should be able to fit all of your personal belongings in one carry on bag. For those of you who think this might be a problem, it’s not as difficult as you think. We usually bring 4 pairs of scrubs, swimsuit, and workout clothes.  But really you don’t need that much for this week! We also try to pack lightly because there’s not a ton of room in the vans to transport us and our luggage! If everyone packs smaller bags, it’s a lot easier!

6. What should I pack?

*   4 pairs of scrubs. They can be school scrubs, scrubs that you got for Christmas, whatever you want. Nothing inappropriate on them.

*   Shoes to wear in the clinic (see question 10)

*   Socks & undies 

*   Workout clothes if you so choose

*   A swim suit (again, NO ONE will care if you wear the same one all week-Seriously). 

*   Sunglasses, beach hat, sunscreen

*   WATER-SHOES or shoes to walk on the coral with. We highly recommend getting some water-shoes (they usually have cheap ones at Target or any sporting goods store would have nicer ones). If you have a  pair of old gym shoes that you’re fine walking around in the ocean with, those will work. 

*   Toiletries (try to pack small bottles of shampoo etc so that we don’t have to send it to check through-you can't carry on more than 3 ounces of liquid)

*   Camera—use your phone 

*   PASSPORT

*   Loupes

*   A couple t-shirts and a pair of shorts just to wear around after the clinic

7. How do I bring enough sunscreen if I have to pack in a carry-on?

Usually a couple people go in on sunscreen together and bring that to share.  If you get it to the team leader ahead of time, they can put it in a duffel bag to be checked through with the supplies so that way you can bring a bigger bottle.

8. Are the outlets the same?

Yup.  The current is a little different so hair dryers etc. run a little hotter, but still work fine.

9. Do I need safety glasses?

If you are a dental student, please bring a pair. We have a couple pairs floating around the clinic but not nearly enough for everyone.

10. What kind of shoes can I wear in the clinic?

Any comfortable closed-toe shoe. Crocs without holes are fine. Toms are fine. NO sandals. Be prepared to be standing all day so wear something that’s comfortable. They do NOT need to be white.

11. Is there wifi where we stay?

Yes, although it is slow and kind of splotchy so it won’t work as fast as in the US.

12. Should I bring my loupes and headlight?

We would strongly recommend bringing them. Every dental student will be doing restorative, but depending on patient needs, may only be doing it for one day or so. If they help you do extractions, bring them. If they help you in restorative, bring them. If you do bring them, make sure you know where they are at all times because things can get lost and forgotten in the clinic.

13. Is it safe to bring my iphone or laptop?

Yes it is as long as you make sure to be careful with it and not leave it

sitting out. The houses and clinic will be locked when we are not there,

however, it is in your best interest to bring your least expensive cameras and devices. The same goes for jewelry, unless it’ll be on you the whole time.

Jamaican government registration fees, dental supplies, in island team transportation, most meals, lodging

Airfare is not included.