Local Volunteer Opportunities

SCCDS is located in one of the most affluent areas on Earth. Despite this, many individuals in our community are in desperate need of dental care. Here are opportunities to help close to home.

Current Opportunities

Volunteers Needed at City Team Dental Clinic: The pandemic forced the City Team Dental Clinic to close for over a year. In order to reopen, more volunteers are needed. They need more dentists, hygienists, and dental assistants. The clinic is open on Saturdays, from 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM. Volunteers do not need to stay for the whole time. Any time you can offer is gratefully accepted.

The City Team Dental Clinic in North San Jose serves individuals suffering from homelessness toxic dependency. Using the three available dental chairs, volunteer dentists treat people living in the City Team Ministries recovery facility, all of whom are vaccinated. Volunteer dental professionals provide basic dentistry, prophylaxis, fillings, extractions, partial and full dentures, and some endodontic therapy in the anterior teeth, all at no charge. Future plans include resuming treatment for the homeless.

Click to read the full letter from Dr. Manuel Bettencourt, SCCDS Life Member and long-time volunteer for the City Team Dental Clinic.

To volunteer, please call the Dental Society, at 408-289-1480 and let our staff know you’d like to volunteer for the City Team Dental Clinic.

Healthy Living Health Fair (since 2007, at various sites, thousands served)
Partners/Professional organizations: Vision Service Plan, Tzu Chi Foundation, OnSite Dental, Lion’s Club, Los Gatos, Congregation Shir Hadash, Los Gatos
 
Sunday, Oct. 15, 8 am – 5 pm
Sacred Heart Community Services
1381 1st St., San Jose 95110
Email susanschwa@yahoo.com to volunteer
 
All Dental Equipment provided by the Tzu Chi Foundation, San Jose branch
Services offered: Dental, Vision, Medical, Hearing
Needed: Licensed Dentists and Dental Hygienists (Tzu Chi has insurance for the event)
Dental procedures offered:
  • Oral exams
  • X-rays
  • Cleanings
  • Fillings
  • Simple extractions
  • Referrals to low/no cost follow-up care
  • All equipment provided

Public Health Hub Free Resource Fair 

This event will take place on October 27th from 2-5 pm at the Public Health Department site at 1775 Story Rd, #120 San Jose, CA 95122 (next to Harbor Freight Tools) inside the Corridor/Plaza. This is a resource fair event where the community can learn about various programs from community and county agencies such as adult & child health coverage, mental health & wellness, food assistance, nutrition education & more.  We will be having COVID vaccines/boosters and food distribution available to the public! Both vaccines and food distribution will be available on a first come first served basis. The community can join us and take advantage of this fantastic opportunity to learn, engage with agencies, and access crucial resources to enhance their well-being.

If you are available to provide free dental screenings at the Public Health Hub Free Resource Fair, please reach out to Somayeh.bolourchi@phd.sccgov.org. Screening materials will be provided by the Public Health Oral Health Program. 

International Volunteer Opportunities

Inspiring. Rewarding. Heartwarming. Uplifting.

These are a few of the words that dental professionals have used to describe their experiences volunteering with dental charity missions. The missions are operated by a wide variety of organizations that specialize in providing dental care to hundreds of underserved communities worldwide. Destinations include South and Central America, Africa, Indonesia, India and many more. Are you ready to pack your bags, see the world and change lives for the better? See below for resources.