Apply for Our Next Dental Mission Trip

Invitation to Join Our 2023 Mission Trip to Guatemala

Please follow this link to the new website for the T. Bob Mission Trip. We look forward to the continuation of providing aid to those in need. *All new documentation must be submitted on the new Guatemalan Smiles website:

https://www.guatemalansmiles.com/

Dear Dental Mission Volunteer:

As the founder and leader of annual dental mission trips to Central America since 1977, I would like to invite you to apply to join our next dental mission trip to Guatemala during Spring Break 2023, March 11-18.

Did you join us for our previous dental mission trips to Mexico, Nicaragua or Guatemala during Spring Break?  If so, you know how rewarding it was to bring dental care and spiritual encouragement to those most in need.  If not, please consider joining us this year for the experience of a lifetime.

We are returning to Guatemala this Spring Break (March 11-18, 2023)…start fundraising now!
We are inviting students from Texas A&M and UT Houston and perhaps a few other schools.  I am in great hopes that we can put together a team of 100 to complete the assignment God laid on my heart in 2010 while visiting this site. Please pray as you are reading this and then consider what God would have you do.

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Scroll down to the bottom of the page if you wish to pause the background music while the video plays.

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Our Vision and Mission Goals for This Trip

Vision: Create an experience that is compelling for dental personnel to learn about and become short-term dental missionaries.

Mission: To involve as many dentists, dental students, pre-dental students, hygienists, hygiene students, assistants, techs and translators as God provides each year on the trip.

Goals:

• To gather equipment and supplies yearly that complement the needs for the Mission;
• To plan efficiently and effectively for the team members to know of and choose to participate in the Mission;
• To prepare for the safety, health, timeliness, and environment of our cadre;
• To combine dental volunteerism with spiritual mentoring;
• To make a memory of a lifetime for all involved in any way.

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Our Plan

I trust you realize that such a mission is what we were really created for and have already been called to do as Christians, some with licenses, others in the process of achieving licenses, and have grown up into His likeness for.

I am aware that practicing dentists are already scheduling recall appointments for March and need to set aside the week for the trip.  And dental students are already thinking about spring break and what they can do then.

Many of you will need to find some financial resources to help with this venture.  It is no different than any church group going on the mission field for short-term missions – it is bigger than yourself.  Do not hesitate to ask for others to join in with you since you may have helped so many others go on their trip.  Now it is time for you to offer the professional gift that no others possess to impact the world for Christ, in YOUR time.

The Houston Group will fly United Airlines and Dallas Group will fly American Airlines on Saturday. Saturday afternoon will include the set up of the dental clinic for exams, prophys, x-rays, fillings, extractions, oral health motivation, fluoride and a few other surprise treatments we always get to perform that God has awaiting us. Sunday starts with morning worship followed by afternoon test run thru of procedures. Monday, Tuesday, Thursday, Friday will be our clinic time with an R & R trip all day Wednesday. We return home on Saturday.

I am acutely aware of your urgent desire to keep costs to the bare bone minimum and will assure you we have always done that.  Since airline flights are the biggest cost in our mission, be sure to purchase your tickets early to keep your cost as low as possible. Make your decision NOW, in order to reduce the total cost.

Deadline for purchasing tickets is December 31, 2022. 

[NEW APPLICANTS NOTICE: DO NOT PURCHASE AIRLINE TICKETS NOR PAY EXPENSES BEFORE APPROVAL OF APPLICATION!!] ALSO, YOUR FULL READING FOR CONTENT THIS FULL DOCUMENT BEFORE APPLYING DEMONSTRATES YOUR BASIC QUALIFICATION TO JOIN THIS PRISTENE GROUP. THOSE WHO FAIL TO KNOW THESE BASIC FACTS WILL STRUGGLE AT MEETING EXPECTATIONS ON THE TRIP.

Update: The new small 2 person rooms for lodging will be available opening up more opportunities for couples & family members (and C pap users/snorers/early-to-bed & early-to-risers/old-old folk & light sleepers–HA!)] 

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Our Needs

Here are the personnel needs: 15 dentists, 50 dental students, 5 hygienists,      10 dental hygiene students, 5 assistants, and 5 pre-dents – plus any translators, spouses, children of teammates or friends of the mission’s family!!!!! Our target number is 100 dental health professionals and students.  Pray for that!! I know we can do it!!

Will you consider joining us for this literal crusade of health and spiritual impact?  Please respond through the Guatemalan Smiles website. That is no small feat and I know you understand the mammoth task it is now to take such things across international borders, fly on planes, and purchase in that country. I am up to the task of providing for your experience! Now, will you agree to join us to donate your heart and hands to the effort?

You can help by encouraging your own staff, friends, or classmates to join us.

I can’t wait to hear from you!
Gratefully,

T. Bob Davis, Doctor of Dental Medicine, Fellow Academy of General Dentistry, Master Academy of General Dentistry, Fellow of the American College of Dentists, Fellow International College of Dentists, Fellow Academy of Dentistry International, Fellow Pierre Fauchard Academy. 2018 American Dental Association Humanitarian Award. 2020 Servant of Christ Award from the Christian Medical and Dental Associations (CMDA). 2020 International College of Dentists (ICD) Humanitarian Award.

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Apply now New Applicants and Returning Teammates

2023 NOTICE:  NEW APPLICANTS
We require each new applicants to notify me of your interest by submitting a cover letter of intent attachment with the 6 signed documents though a Google Form in the Guatemalan Smiles website including a selfie photo and photo of your license to practice (graduates).

This cover letter of intent should include your name, brief description of yourself, brief description of how you heard about the trip, and brief explanation of why you are going. Submit all of these and await Dr. Davis’ response.

For RETURNING TEAMMATES, please note new option:

You will ONLY need to submit 3 PRELIMINARY DOCUMENTS:
1. Travel Release Form

2. Media Release Form

3. Emergency Contact Form

Continue by filling out the APPLICATION, buying plane tickets, and paying the EXPENSES online. Don’t stop, keep moving until it’s all done. No waiting for Dr. T. Bob.

For NEW APPLICANTS:

SIT BACK AND RELAX, DR. DAVIS WILL RESPOND SHORTLY BY EMAIL OR PHONE.

Second…

Once you have received approval from Dr. Davis, you may begin the application process.

FILL OUT THE 2023 GUATEMALA DENTAL STUDENT MISSION TRIP APPLICATION.

…Online Application:…FOR NEW APPLICANTS AND RETURNING TEAMMATES

Fill it out accurately and completely. Please note, the online form will not let you skip a required question/answer. It is a Google Docs form that populates all your info into an Excel spreadsheet from which we will develop over 25 lists and documents that facilitate a smooth functional trip. We know it’s a hassle to you, but WOW, it answers ALL our questions without having to guess or manually enter each response, which takes hours on our part! Each answer makes planning accurate and keeps us from having to call you and ask one question at a time.

Third…Flight Details:…FOR NEW APPLICANTS AND RETURNING TEAMMATES

Once the official application (not the New Applicants Preliminary 6 Forms) is submitted, then you should purchase your airline ticket. Immediately forward ALL the airline documents you receive to Dr. Davis in their entirety. Your cost of the ticket helps us predict next year’s flight costs in advance for prospective teammates.

Fourth… Pay EXPENSES…FOR NEW APPLICANTS AND RETURNING TEAMMATES…through Venmo link or one personal check to T. Bob.

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Flight Details:

• Note: These flights and times are estimated on the current costs & times. Subject to change by American Airlines (DFW) and United Airlines (IAH) when they choose 😊
  • DFW (American Airlines)
    • Departure: DFW to GUA
      Flight #: 1013
    • Departure: ±10:30AM
    • Arrival: ±1:43PM
    • Saturday, March 11
      Return: AA Guatemala City (GUA) to (DFW) 
      Flight #: 1188
    • Departure: ±2:40PM
    • Arrival: ±7:15PM
    • Saturday, March 18
  • Houston (United Airlines)
    • Departure: Houston (IAH) to Guatemala City (GUA) Saturday, March 11
      United Airlines Flight #: 1751
    • Departure: ±9:39AM
    • Arrival: ±12:34PM
    • Sat, March 11
    • Return: Guatemala City (GUA) to Houston (IAH) Saturday, March 18
      United Airlines Flight #: 1903
    • Departure: ±1:35PM
    • Arrival: ±5:34PM
    • Sat, March 18

GOOGLE CURRENT FLIGHT TIMES FOR EXACT TIME ZONE AND COST

2023 NOTICE: You are required to fly on designated non-stop flights shown above. No late arrival/early departure. The team functions as a full team every day.

Reason: massive problem with numerous trips back and forth to airport and delays pertaining to pick-up/departure times, cost, and safety issues. Middle of the night pick ups/deliveries are too risky and problematic.
Once purchased forward all airline travel documents to Dr. Davis in their entirety.

****DEADLINE TO SIGN UP IS DECEMBER 31, 2022****

 

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To Former Teammates: The new online format eliminates days of translating and transferring submitted data from paper to online forms. It does so by automatically populating a spreadsheet that will include all lists I need to operate the trip efficiently and answer your questions quickly. This will allow the answers to essential questions to be provided at a moment’s notice. Thank you for your cooperation in this need. This will save an immense amount of time for our leaders and eliminate any errors during transfer that require me to chase you down last minute. Again, thank you for understanding! You’re the BEST! I still need you to fill out the 3 preliminary forms as you begin the process of the e-application, expenses payment, and ticketing/airfare (no approval by T. Bob needed.)

Expenses 

• • $970 First time applicants.
  • $850 Previous Teammates
  • Fees are non-refundable after February 28th, 2023.
  • To ensure the lowest total cost for the trip, an early airline ticket purchase can save ~20-30% overall.
  • Packing List: guatemala_packing_list.pdf (guatemalansmiles.com)

For new teammates: please fill out the 6 Preliminary Documents and submit them to Dr. Davis for approval. Dr. Davis will approve by phone or email. AFTER APPROVAL by Dr. Davis, you may now complete the e-application by clicking below.

2023 Guatemala Dental Student Mission Trip Application

Brief Summary of Application Process

1. Preliminary Documents submission on Guatemalan Smiles website by ALL APPLICANTS
2. Approval by Dr. T. Bob Davis for NEW APPLICANTS ONLY
3. Complete Online Application on Guatemalan Smiles website by ALL APPLICANTS
4. Pay Expenses via Venmo on Guatemalan Smiles Website (Check if necessary to Dr. T. Bob Davis or Dr. T. Bob Davis Productions) by ALL APPLICANTS

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Photos from previous trips:

(Click to enlarge)

   

Click Here for photos from the 2013-2016 Trip to Guatemala

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