Global Engagement - Ohio and Beyond
Twelve students and three faculty traveled to Antigua Guatemala for an immersive international experience that combined service, cultural learning, and hands-on patient care. The group provided care to over 206 patients and was led by Executive Associate Dean Andrea Zandona, DDS, MSD, PhD; Associate Professor-Clinical Matthew Messina, DDS; and Assistant Professor Robert Gardner, DDS. The trip gave students a firsthand look at global oral health challenges and the impact of community-centered care.
What’s Ahead
Future service-learning trips are planned in Brazil and Japan. Thanks to partnerships with institutions like São Paulo State University in Brazil, Pacific Dental Services in Guatemala, and the Institute of Science Tokyo in Tokyo, Japan, the college provides opportunities for students to learn in a variety of healthcare settings—preparing them to serve with skill, empathy, and cultural understanding.
