Message Boards
Today's Active Topics Today's Active Cases Browse Forum Categories My Recent Activity My Messages Private Groups My Marked Threads My Subscriptions
Today's Active Images Today's Active Polls Most Active Topics Global Townie Map Advanced Message Board Search Message Board Terms of Use

Dr. Gordon Christensen on Preparing for a Humanitarian Service Trip By Douglas Carlsen, DDS

Start Discussion More by this author (62)
By Douglas Carlsen, DDS

Many dentists have the impulse for volunteering in foreign countries yet can’t seem to fit in into their busy lives of hard work and constant distraction. Gordon Christensen, probably the busiest dentist on the planet, provides insight and talks about the financial preparations, which must be made to save for a trip, the tax deductions involved and how to go about taking time off work.

Along with his vast dental research and international lecturing, Dr. Gordon Christensen has been involved with dentistry in third-world countries for years. He has worked extensively with the Academy of LDS Dentists, frequently in South America, India and many other countries.

I recently had the pleasure to ask Dr. Christensen about his international dental work for those in need.

Carlsen: You have spent a significant amount of time away from your practice for research, lecturing and providing guidance to the profession over the years. In other words, you are the ultimate dentist volunteer. How can the normal, busy private practitioner with high overhead finance a couple weeks volunteering internationally?
Christensen: Donating the time to do humanitarian service is a challenge, but it can be done on a routine basis. You plan the time away in your annual schedule, as you would plan a vacation, and just do it. Yes, it costs some money, but the reward is literally tears of thankfulness from those who receive your services or education. There are many ways to assist needy patients in developing countries. The most common one that you hear routinely is providing hands-on treatment. This type of service is extremely helpful for the few patients you treat, but the scope of the impact is limited to just those people.

On the other hand, teaching dentists, dental hygienists, assistants and dental technicians in developing countries can be more influential than hands-on treatment. Every year for many years, I have volunteered free seminars in numerous developing countries. I take a few selected dentists from the Academy of LDS Dentists and go to developing countries to provide CE courses. You may go to www.academyofldsdentists.com to learn more about the Academy and the service/education that we offer.

As an example, we did such an endeavor in five large cities in Mexico in which we taught about 1,000 dentists in each city, or 5,000 dentists total. Each practice has about 2,000 patients, so we influenced up to 10 million patients in one week’s time.

Of course, either way works: hands-on or education.

Carlsen: Are there business deductions or CE credits available for international dental work?
Christensen: Tax deductions are a controversial subject for donated time. Most do not try. I suggest talking to your tax consultant on this subject. If you donate money to a legal charity providing service (501(c)3 corporation), certainly you could use it as a tax write-off. I have never taken any CE credit for such work, but I assume it is possible.

Carlsen: How have you found the experience affects dentists upon returning: emotionally, spiritually and financially?
Christensen: There is no question that such projects are life changing for the dentist and staff. They come home from a humanitarian project literally different people. It is hard to go back to something like bleaching teeth after seeing the influence of treating people in genuine need.

Any such project changes opinions and attitudes about life in general and dental practice. It often reduces a money orientation that, unfortunately, some dentists and other health practitioners have. These kinds of projects are especially valuable for pre-dental and dental students.

Carlsen: I have found that dentists who have donated either significant time or money to organizations have increased savings and overall wealth. Do you agree? And if so, elaborate.
Christensen: Any good deed comes back around to bless the giver. Humanitarian service pays the giver in many ways, even in additional revenue.

Carlsen: Do you have specific recommendations for dentists who wish to inquire about participation in international programs? The ADA list can be found at internationalvolunteer.ada.org (see page 86 in this issue) yet the readers will be interested in your specific recommendations.
Christensen: I mentioned the Academy of LDS Dentists’ Web site. There are many projects going on at all times for dentists of all faiths. Additionally, the Trudi Birger clinic in Jerusalem (americanfriendsofdvi. org/trudi_birger.php) provides treatment for children of all religions. This clinic is administered by the Dental Volunteers of Israel (DVI). It has been one of my favorite charities. Many dentists from around the world go there for a short period of time and combine the humanitarian experience with a tour of the Holy Land. There are many other opportunities that interested dentists can find on the net.

Dr. Christensen shared that if he spent his time only treating patients, his service would help 50 to 100 patients. However, by teaching dentists current, state-of-the-art techniques, he ultimately serves more patients. Therefore, he personally focuses his time abroad lecturing dental professionals. Please take note of this option. Foreign dentists are in dire need of the newest and most cost-effective procedures and materials for their people.

Finally, Practical Clinical Courses has provided many educational DVDs to U.S. dentists who are volunteering service in countries abroad. Contact at 800-223-6569 or www.pccdental.com.
Contributors
Douglas Carlsen, DDS, has delivered independent financial education to dentists since retiring from his practice in 2004 at age 53. For Dentists’ Financial Newsletter, visit www.golichcarlsen.com and find “newsletter” button at the bottom of the home page. Additional Carlsen Dentaltown articles are at www.towniecentral.com. Search “Carlsen.” Videos available at www.youtube.com/user/DrDougCarlsen. Contact Dr. Carlsen at drcarlsen@gmail.com or 760-535-1621.

Dr. Gordon Christensen is the founder of Practical Clinical Courses, a continuing dental education organization. He has helped initiate two new dental schools, delivered more than 40,000 hours of continuing education, is co-founder and CEO of Clinicians Report a non-profit research organization, and has written hundreds of articles and several books.
Dentaltown Magazine
September 2025
Dentaltown Magazine September 2025 Read Current Issue Read Archived Issues
Sponsors
Townie Perks
Townie® Poll
Who or what do you turn to for most financial advice regarding your practice?
  
Site Menu
Message Boards Magazine Continuing Education Podcasts Blogs Classifieds Dental News Events Townie® Poll Ebooks Townie Choice Awards
Company Info
Contact Us Advertise With Us Howard Farran DDS, MBA Policies and Agreements
Site Help
Sally Gross, Member Services Specialist
Phone: +1-480-445-9710
Email: sally@farranmedia.com
©2025 Dentaltown, a division of Farran Media • All Rights Reserved
9633 S. 48th Street Suite 200 • Phoenix, AZ 85044 • Phone:+1-480-598-0001 • Fax:+1-480-598-3450