Earlier this month, in partnership with International Medical Relief, a team of 17 Aspen Dental team members traveled to Quito, Ecuador on the 2024 Overseas Outreach trip. The team provided free, dental care to the local Quito community. Aspen Dental’s Overseas Outreach Program brings in a team of dentists, hygienists, dental assistants and lab technicians to countries in need of dental care. The program has been active for more than six years and has served communities worldwide.

On this year’s trip, the team was able to offer the community of Quito, Ecuador a service they’ve never been able to before, but is sorely needed both here at home, and internationally: tooth replacement.

“This trip was extra special not only because of the amazing team that we have here, but we’ve never done an Overseas Outreach trip before with Sprint Ray technology providing digital dentures to patients,” said Dr. Lauren McDonough, Vice President of Practice Owner Development at Aspen Dental. “It was an overwhelming turnout of patients wanting replacement teeth options. We actually did more than 25 partial and full dentures on the first day we were in Ecuador.”

Through the use of digital scanners and 3D printers, the team was able to provide patients in the community with partial and full dentures in a matter of hours in some cases. The team was also able to provide hygiene therapy, extractions, and oral health education in addition to digital dentures.

“It was awesome to be there — the community was great, and we were so excited to help and serve patients,” said Dr. Roma Patel, Aspen Dental practice owner in Pooler, GA. “Not only do we do this at home, but we also get to make an impact across the world as well.” 

By partnering with International Medical Relief, Aspen Dental was able to contribute to the Quito community receiving not only dental care, but comprehensive health care as well. The team was joined by an optometrist, emergency doctor, nurse practitioners and more medical professionals who provided eye and other physical health exams.

This trip builds on the ongoing impact Aspen Dental has through its Healthy Mouth Movement (HMM), a community-giving initiative first launched 10 years ago to deliver dental care to those who need it most. Providing for these underserved communities is core part of Aspen Dental’s mission, and the Overseas Outreach Program is just one of the many ways that mission comes to life.