What I Brought Back From India: A Dental Mission That Changed My Perspective
Authored by: Maria Jackson, MS, CRDH | Founder & CEO, Dental AI Solutions
Oct 23, 2026, 12:00 ET: When I traveled to India on a dental mission trip, I went with the intention of helping others. As a dental hygienist, I wanted to use my skills to make a difference in a community where access to dental care was limited. What I didn’t realize at the time was just how much that experience would change my own perspective on healthcare, opportunity, and the things we often take for granted.
During our time in Ahmedabad, India, I witnessed a very different approach to dental care from what I had been accustomed to in the United States. As dental professionals, we spend so much time emphasizing prevention. We educate our patients about brushing, flossing, periodontal disease, routine cleanings, and the importance of addressing oral health concerns before they become bigger problems. But in the community where I volunteered, the priorities were completely different. The majority of the procedures we performed were extractions. Patients weren’t coming in for routine cleanings, whitening treatments, or orthodontic consultations. They were coming because they were in pain and needed relief.
I remember thinking about how different that was from the dentistry I knew back home. In the United States, we have access to incredible advancements in dental care. We can prevent and manage gum disease, identify cavities early, straighten teeth, whiten smiles, and even make cosmetic improvements simply because we want to feel more confident. Yet in the community I visited, many of those services weren’t even part of the conversation. The immediate concern was getting someone out of pain. Preventive care was not readily accessible to many of the people we treated, and it made me realize how much we sometimes take our healthcare resources for granted.
“Every community deserves access to the care and education that can protect their health.”
Of course, I recognize that not everyone in the United States has equal access to dental care. There are still many families who struggle to afford treatment or find providers. But being in India gave me a different perspective on what it means when basic preventive care is out of reach. It also made me appreciate the organizations, dental professionals, and educators who dedicate their time to bringing oral health education and services to underserved communities.
What stayed with me wasn’t just what I experienced while volunteering. It was also what I saw outside of the dental setting. Throughout our travels, we encountered children selling all sorts of little items on the streets, from candy and pens to keychains and souvenirs. I remember watching them approach tourists, trying so hard to make a sale, and thinking about how different their lives appeared from those of children back home. At an age when many children are sitting in classrooms, learning, and playing with friends, these kids were out working in the middle of the day. I couldn’t help but wonder about their education, their families, and the opportunities they might have had under different circumstances.
There is one particular moment that has stayed with me all these years. During our trip, we had the opportunity to visit the Taj Mahal, and as we were leaving, we were approached by a group of children selling souvenirs. They were determined, persistent, and certainly weren’t taking no for an answer! One little boy in particular caught our attention because he was selling keychains and doing everything he could to convince us to buy them.
My friend decided to have a little fun with the conversation and started speaking to the children in Spanish. To our surprise, they understood her and responded! She then switched to French, and once again, they were able to communicate with her. We couldn’t believe it. Here were these young children speaking multiple languages, adapting to tourists from different parts of the world, and using those skills to sell their little souvenirs. I remember being completely amazed by their determination and ability to communicate.
“Intelligence, determination, and potential can be found anywhere, but opportunities can look very different depending on where we grow up.”
My friend was so impressed by this one little boy that she ended up buying every single keychain he had. I can still picture him standing there, and I often wonder what happened to him. What struck me wasn’t simply that he could speak different languages, but how resourceful he was at such a young age. He had learned how to connect with people, how to adapt, and how to keep trying even when someone said no. I couldn’t help but think about what he might accomplish if he had access to more educational opportunities and resources. That moment reminded me that intelligence, determination, and potential can be found anywhere, but the opportunities available to people can be very different depending on where they grow up.
Looking back, I think that’s one of the biggest lessons I brought home from India. We become so accustomed to the resources around us that we sometimes forget how fortunate we are to have them. We schedule dental appointments, receive preventive education, have access to specialists, and even explore cosmetic treatments to improve our smiles. Meanwhile, in other parts of the world, there are communities where simply eliminating dental pain is the priority. It doesn’t mean people don’t value prevention or want better oral health. Sometimes the resources, education, and access just aren’t there.
This experience also made me appreciate the importance of community outreach and oral health education, especially among children. When dental professionals visit schools, teach children how to brush and floss, or volunteer their time to provide care, those efforts matter. Prevention starts with education, but it also requires access, support, and people who are willing to make a difference. Something that may seem like a small gesture to us can have a lasting impact on someone else’s life.
I went to India thinking about what I could give, but I came home thinking about everything I had learned. I gained a greater appreciation for the opportunities available to us, a deeper understanding of the challenges some communities face, and a reminder that we should never underestimate someone’s potential because of their circumstances.
Even today, I think about that little boy selling keychains outside the Taj Mahal. I wonder where life took him, whether he had the opportunity to continue his education, and whether that same determination helped him create a different future for himself. I’ll probably never know, but I know that brief encounter left an impression on me that has lasted far longer than the trip itself.
“As dental professionals, we have the ability to make a difference beyond the dental chair.”
As dental professionals, we have the ability to make a difference beyond the dental chair. Whether it’s volunteering on a mission trip, educating children in our local schools, supporting organizations that provide care to underserved communities, or simply helping patients understand the value of prevention, we all have something meaningful to contribute.
If there is one thing I hope people take away from my experience, it’s to appreciate the opportunities and resources we have while remembering that not everyone has access to the same things. Be grateful for preventive care, for education, and for the people and organizations working to make healthcare more accessible. And whenever you have the opportunity to give back, take it. You never know whose life you might impact or how much that experience might change your own.
“I traveled to India hoping to make a difference in the lives of others, but I never expected how much the people I met would change mine.”
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