Panama
Mobile Dental Clinics
Limited access to adequate dental professionals, facilities, supplies and equipment makes dental care in both rural and indigenous communities throughout Panama one of its largest health care challenge. Despite the importance of oral health, the Ministry of Health (MINSA) has revealed that 92% of the population suffers from various dental diseases due to poor oral hygiene and eating habits. With limited to no access to care in rural areas, an enormous population is left in chronic pain and at risk for infection and other related disease.
In order to improve dental care access in remote areas, chapters will work with our team of local dentists to implement mobile dental clinics directly inside our partner communities. Volunteers work under the direction of our local professionals to support triage, intake and pharmacy while also having the opportunity to shadow our dentists perform extractions, cleanings, fillings and administer fluoride treatments. Volunteers also take the lead in delivering oral health and cavity prevention workshops.
Dental Brigade –
7 Day Sample Schedule
On the first day after arriving in Panama, volunteers will learn about rural Panamanian healthcare and economic needs during their Holistic Model day, which can be focused on either Medical, Business, Public Health, or Water programs. Then volunteers will prepare for the mobile clinic by packing supplies and medications into appropriate doses for the following clinic days. For the next four days, volunteers will shadow dentists throughout the clinics, where they will provide assistance to hundreds of community members. The dental clinics consist of five stations; the surgical station, the intake station, the cleaning station, the post-op instructions station, and the education station. The volunteers will shadow a dental professional in the surgical station, and be assisting in the remaining four. At the end of the Brigade, volunteers will have a chance to reflect on their Brigade experience and ensure all data from the clinic days are inputted into the openMRS system.
| Day 1 | Day 2 | Day 3 | Day 4 | Day 5 | Day 6 | Day 7 | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 6:00am | Airport Pick up & Transport to Lodging Facility | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | Breakfast | |
| 7:00am | Transport to Community | Transport to Community | Transport to Community | Transport to Community | Transport to Community | Breakfast | |
| 8:00am | |||||||
| 9:00am | Holistic Model Day – Either working with Caja or CHW Program | Dental Clinic | Dental Clinic | Dental Clinic | Dental Clinic | Transport to Airport & Airline Check in | |
| 10:00am | |||||||
| 11:00am | |||||||
| 12:00pm | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | Lunch | ||
| 1:00pm | Holistic Model Day – Either working with Caja or CHW Program | Dental Clinic | Dental Clinic | Dental Clinic | Dental Clinic | ||
| 2:00pm | |||||||
| 3:00pm | Settle In | ||||||
| 4:00pm | Introduction to Global Brigades | Medications Packing | Transport to Lodging Facility | Transport to Lodging Facility | Transport to Lodging Facility | Transport to Lodging Facility | |
| 5:00pm | Free Time | Free Time | Free Time | Free Time | |||
| 6:00pm | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | Dinner | |
| 7:00pm | Holistic Model Overview/Discussion | Medical/Dental Program Introduction | Reflection & Data Informatics Training | Reflection & Discussion | Reflection & Discussion | Reflection & Discussion | |
| 8:00pm |
| Day 1 | |
|---|---|
| 6:00am | Airport Pick up & Transport to Lodging Facility |
| 7:00am | |
| 8:00am | |
| 9:00am | |
| 10:00am | |
| 11:00am | |
| 12:00pm | |
| 1:00pm | |
| 2:00pm | |
| 3:00pm | Settle In |
| 4:00pm | Introduction to Global Brigades |
| 5:00pm | |
| 6:00pm | Dinner |
| 7:00pm | Holistic Model Overview/Discussion |
| 8:00pm | |
| Day 2 | |
|---|---|
| 6:00am | Breakfast |
| 7:00am | Transport to Community |
| 8:00am | |
| 9:00am | Holistic Model Day – Either working with Caja or CHW Program |
| 10:00am | |
| 11:00am | |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Holistic Model Day – Either working with Caja or CHW Program |
| 2:00pm | |
| 3:00pm | |
| 4:00pm | Medications Packing |
| 5:00pm | |
| 6:00pm | Dinner |
| 7:00pm | Medical/Dental Program Introduction |
| 8:00pm | |
| Day 3 | |
|---|---|
| 6:00am | Breakfast |
| 7:00am | Transport to Community |
| 8:00am | |
| 9:00am | Dental Clinic |
| 10:00am | |
| 11:00am | |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Dental Clinic |
| 2:00pm | |
| 3:00pm | |
| 4:00pm | Transport to Lodging Facility |
| 5:00pm | Free Time |
| 6:00pm | Dinner |
| 7:00pm | Reflection & Data Informatics Training |
| 8:00pm | |
| Day 4 | |
|---|---|
| 6:00am | Breakfast |
| 7:00am | Transport to Community |
| 8:00am | |
| 9:00am | Dental Clinic |
| 10:00am | |
| 11:00am | |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Dental Clinic |
| 2:00pm | |
| 3:00pm | |
| 4:00pm | Transport to Lodging Facility |
| 5:00pm | Free Time |
| 6:00pm | Dinner |
| 7:00pm | Reflection & Discussion |
| 8:00pm | |
| Day 5 | |
|---|---|
| 6:00am | Breakfast |
| 7:00am | Transport to Community |
| 8:00am | |
| 9:00am | Dental Clinic |
| 10:00am | |
| 11:00am | |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Dental Clinic |
| 2:00pm | |
| 3:00pm | |
| 4:00pm | Transport to Lodging Facility |
| 5:00pm | Free Time |
| 6:00pm | Dinner |
| 7:00pm | Reflection & Discussion |
| 8:00pm | |
| Day 6 | |
|---|---|
| 6:00am | Breakfast |
| 7:00am | Transport to Community |
| 8:00am | |
| 9:00am | Dental Clinic |
| 10:00am | |
| 11:00am | |
| 12:00pm | Lunch |
| 1:00pm | Dental Clinic |
| 2:00pm | |
| 3:00pm | |
| 4:00pm | Transport to Lodging Facility |
| 5:00pm | Free Time |
| 6:00pm | Dinner |
| 7:00pm | Reflection & Discussion |
| 8:00pm | |
| Day 7 | |
|---|---|
| 6:00am | |
| 7:00am | Breakfast |
| 8:00am | |
| 9:00am | Transport to Airport & Airline Check In |
| 10:00am | |
| 11:00am | |
| 12:00pm | |
| 1:00pm | |
| 2:00pm | |
| 3:00pm | |
| 4:00pm | |
| 5:00pm | |
| 6:00pm | |
| 7:00pm | |
| 8:00pm | |
Volunteer Donation Goal
In order to participate in a Dental Brigade, all volunteers must meet a Donation Goal, this is not considered a payment, but support toward our Global Brigades’ Holistic Model. Once a volunteer meets a set Donation Goal, they are eligible to join us on-the-ground to see their fundraising efforts put into action by participating in a Dental Brigade.
When a volunteer participates in a Dental Brigade, the volunteer’s ground transportation, food, lodging, and emergency insurance are all covered. The funding that the volunteer raised also supports all the necessary costs for program implementation, such as equipment, local dentists, pharmacists, translators, and support staff.
Airfare is not included in the standard Donation Goal. However, Global Brigades’ travel team can work with volunteers to book airfare and incorporate the airfare expense into the volunteer’s Donation Goal.
2022-2023 Panama 7-day Dental Brigade USD –
2022-2023 Panama 7-day Dental Brigade CAD –
2022-2023 Panama 7-day Dental Brigade GBP –
*The donation goals listed above are for volunteers joining an existing Global Dental Brigades (GDB) Chapter on a university campus, with a brigade group size of at least 18 volunteers. Scholarship opportunities are available for volunteers to meet their Donation Goal by starting or referring to a new chapter. Once a volunteer meets their Donation Goal, they have up to 1 year to participate in a Dental Brigade.
Sustainable Health Fund
A portion of each Donation Goal supports our Sustainable Health Fund which enables year-round health care in partner communities carried out by our local teams. Specifically, the Fund supports initiatives of the medical program that enable sustainable transitions such as the Community Health Workers/Entrepreneurs, Patient Referrals, Community Pharmacy, and the ongoing impact evaluation of the program.
Safety
Volunteer safety will always be our absolute top priority. Global Brigades recently engaged Askari International Security, an industry leader in international risk assessment, to complete a comprehensive risk/safety assessment of all brigade operations. A full explanation of safety precautions and procedures can be found on our “Safety & Insurance” page.
In Panama
- Global Brigades is an active member of OSAC (the Overseas Security Advisory Committee) and receives up-to-date security and safety briefings from the U.S. State Department;
- Established relationship with Senafront to provide security escorts to those groups working in the Darien region;
- Full-time local Global Brigades medical personnel on-call at all times;
- Adherence to the IVPA standards of international volunteering.
Lodging Facilities
Global Brigades does an annual safety review of all lodging facility partners each year. Lodging facilities provide pillows, bedsheets and towels. Facilities have showers, toilets and sinks with running water (no hot water) as well as filtered clean drinking water dispensers onsite. 24-hour security is provided at all facilities. Conditions are most similar to a comfortable summer camp, with dormitory-style sleeping and shared bathrooms.
Dental Brigades are assigned to lodging facilities based on proximity to the partner community they will be working with.
Asamblea de Dios
Campamento Asambleas De Dios is a large facility located in San Carlos, Panama just 2 hours outside of Panama City. Here, volunteers can take in a beautiful view of the Pacific Ocean. GB Panama has been utilizing this facility since March 2015.
Emergency medical care is available in San Carlos, approximately 2 minutes from this facility.
El Palmar
The El Palmar hostel sits along the Pan-American highway, between Lago Bayano and the town of Torti. Here, volunteers can enjoy beautiful landscapes. GB Panama has utilized El Palmar for several years and has housed hundreds of brigaders.
Emergency medical care is available in Torti.
Hotel Avicar
Hotel Avicar sits along the Pan-American highway in the center of the town of Torti. Here, volunteers can enjoy beautiful views of green mountains and pastures, as well as experience a rural town in East Panama.
Emergency medical care is available in Torti.
Hotel Tonosi
Hotel Tonosi is located on the Pan-American highway in Panama’s Meteti sector. The facility includes cozy, air conditioned rooms that fit four to five people, a covered terrace with countryside landscapes, and a reputation for great food and hospitality.
Pro Niños
Pro Niños was among the first lodges utilized by GB in the Darien area of Panama. The facility includes wooded areas and open recreational areas that encourage volunteers to connect with nature.
Iguana Eco Resort
La Iguana Eco Resort is a spacious facility that connects volunteers to nature. Various activities, including hiking and swimming, are available on the property. The facility includes cozy rooms with air conditioning and is located near the city of Penonomé.
Campamento Oasis de Bendición
Just as its name implies, Campamento Oasis de Bendición is a wonderful place to recharge after a clinic day. The facility includes beautiful landscapes with a terrace for meetings, space for indoor recreational activities, and cabins that encourage coexistence among fellow volunteers. It’s located just a few meters from the main road.
Hotel Ojos del Rio
Hotel Ojos del Rio sits in the center of Panama City, about 40 minutes from Panama’s international airport. Here, volunteers can enjoy a beautiful view of Panama City’s skyline. Global Brigades Panama began using this hotel in 2018 to accommodate any brigades that needed to stay in Panama City. Brigades do not typically stay in Panama City; Global Brigades Panama only uses this facility during emergencies and cases involving extenuating circumstances. Emergency medical care is available in several hospitals in the city.
Hotel Novotel
Novotel sits in the center of Panama City, about 40 minutes from Panama’s international airport. Here, brigaders enjoy a beautiful view of Panama City’s skyline. Global Brigades Panama began using this hotel in 2018 to accommodate any brigades that needed to stay in Panama City. Brigades do not typically stay in Panama City; Global Brigades Panama only uses this facility during emergencies and cases involving extenuating circumstances. Emergency medical care is available in several hospitals in the city.
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