Several organizations support community oral health outreach programs, both domestically and internationally. These include associations, such as the American and Hispanic Dental Associations, as well as dental schools and private, non-profit organizations. For example:
Some private organizations partner with university programs. One such program is Ayuda, that partners with the University of Southern California (USC). Ayuda is a nonprofit humanitarian dental, medical and educational organization that works to improve and sustain the oral health of people in underserved areas of the world.
Dental hygiene students can volunteer monthly to provide oral health preventive care to underserved children in the Los Angeles area. AYUDA, with local Rotary Club support, also provides care internationally.
To share the program planning process involved with the international trips, the director of the Oral Health Initiative (OHI), a recent BSDH graduate of USC, has provided 2 examples for you, Rosarito, Mexico and Bocas Del Toro, Panama (links in side navigation).