Eleven students and three faculty and support staff from Oregon Tech’s Dental Hygiene program in Klamath Falls traveled to Ocho Rios, Jamaica, Aug. 14-25 through the International Externship Program (IEP), providing dental care to underserved populations with limited access to services.
The 2026 student team members were Bria Brownie, Bailey Dillon, Paulina Gamboa, Kennedy Kantola, Clarissa Leyva, Michelle Mendoza Ruiz, Emily Peterson, Jessica Smith, Miah Turner, Sitlaly Valdez, and Carson Weaver. Assistant Professor Jeannie Bopp and Adjunct Instructor Kelsey League accompanied the students, along with alumnus James Grow and Oregon Tech Dental Clinic Administrative Program Assistant Daniel Ede.
The IEP includes coursework during spring, summer, and fall terms. During spring term, students learned about Jamaican culture, the country’s health care system, social determinants of health that can prevent access to dental care, and oral health disparities in Jamaica and the United States. Summer coursework focused on intercultural communication, cultural norms and sensitivities, teamwork, conflict management, and ethical dilemmas students could face. During fall term, students will reflect on their cultural learning and how the externship shaped their lives and future work in the profession.
During the trip, dental hygiene students provided 382 cleanings, 374 fluoride treatments, many sealants, and assisted as needed with fillings, root canals, and extractions. Together, the clinics delivered dental treatment services to 637 patients.
The patients served were members of underserved populations who lacked access to care due to social determinants of health, including financial constraints, limited availability of dental professionals in public health settings, limited dental health knowledge, and transportation barriers.
“Clinics operated on a first-come, first-served basis, and many patients began arriving at 3 a.m. and waited throughout the day, and some returned over multiple days for an opportunity to receive care,” Bopp shared.
Jamaican dentists also participated in the clinics and expressed appreciation for the services. “They said some patients could otherwise remain on waiting lists for a year or longer, including those seeking emergency care,” Bopp said. “The clinics helped relieve part of the backlog local dentists face in providing care to vulnerable populations. Our IEP team wants to thank the Oregon Tech Foundation, community donors, dental supply companies, and dentists who donated supplies and provided financial support to our students.”
