The spirit of service and engagement at Adams School of Dentistry (ASOD) extends far beyond its walls. The ASOD Global Program is a prime example of how UNC’s service and engagement work is bigger than us, with the program expanding as interest, a service mind-set and the value of experience shape future oral health care providers and their desire to give back while building and strengthening strategic partnerships with the global oral health community.
Spanning More than 40 years, More than 20 Sites
ASOD Global Director Ron Strauss, DMD, PhD, said at the program’s inception in the 1980s, the focus was on providing basic dental preventive care, exams and restorative or surgical procedures to patients in Mexico and Honduras. As the program has evolved, so has its mission.
“Our intention is to further cultural understanding and facilitate the transfer of contemporary clinical skills, as opposed to substituting local providers with visiting students and clinicians,” Strauss said.
In 2024, 24 ASOD students traveled to five global sites. In 2025, 45 students completed projects in 10 countries. For the summer of 2026, 48 ASOD students will be going to 13 sites to learn side-by-side with host nation dental students in Brazil, Ghana, India, Japan, Malawi, Moldova, Nepal, Türkiye, Puerto Rico, Greece, Indonesia, Scandinavia and Poland.
Read more from the Adam’s School of Dentistry.