After months of preparation, eight students from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine (CU SDM) arrived in Brazil, stepping into a week that would challenge, inspire and reaffirm their commitment to careers in dentistry. As part of an international service-learning trip, students and faculty took a deep dive into Brazil’s healthcare systems, clinical practices, community outreach and dental education.
CU SDM Professor and Delta Dental of Colorado Foundation Chair in Oral Health Equity Bruce Dye, DDS, MPH, explained, “An important purpose behind developing and conducting global health initiatives is to provide opportunities for our students to gain a greater appreciation and understanding that dentistry, dental education and public health can be done similarly or differently in other parts of the world and still yield outcomes that improve people’s lives. Equally important, these experiences also build bridges, improve cultural awareness and encourage collaboration and friendship.”
Dye accompanied the students abroad along with visiting scholar Raquel Baroni de Carvalho, who joined the CU faculty as part of an agreement between CU SDM and the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) in Vitória, Brazil. The major goal of the agreement is to develop joint activities for students and faculty such as didactic classes, research projects and academic trips to benefit both institutions.
“It’s been an amazing year,” said Baroni. “We strengthened our international collaboration and the CU Dental global health initiatives. Our shared vision of preventive and community dentistry has opened many doors that we hope to continue for many years.”
Second-year CU SDM student Alexandria (Lexi) Bender said, “It was an eye-opening experience to witness the collaborative approach to healthcare and dentistry in Brazil.”
Through daily journal entries, Bender captured not only clinical insights and lessons learned, but also the culture of the people and communities of Vitória, Brazil — experiences that will stay with her far beyond the classroom or clinic.
Sunday: Welcome to Brazil
After an unexpected night in Washington, D.C., due to a 10-hour flight delay, we finally arrived in Vitória, Brazil, after more than 24 hours of travel. We were warmly greeted by Arthur Sbrocco, an exceptional student from the UFES dental program, who helped coordinate our stay for the week and assisted us with everything from translation to food recommendations. A quick and smooth van ride took us to the Alameda Hotel, where we checked in and immediately headed to bed to recharge for the busy week ahead.
CU School of Dental Medicine students were greeted in Brazil by Arthur Sbrocco (far left), a student from the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) Dental program. CU students, left to right: Andrea Shill, Emma Heiny, Eirini Boutiou, Jasmine Duchene, Alexandria Bender, Sukanya Nandakumar, Alyssa Alger, Merrill Redfearn.
Monday: UFES Campus Tour & Dental Clinics
The day kicked off with a welcome session at the UFES International Office, where we were introduced to the week’s itinerary and greeted with warm smiles, handshakes and even hugs. To make the arrival even sweeter, we were treated to a delightful array of Brazilian snacks, including palito de queijo (cheese sticks), bolo de aipim (manioc cake), rosquinha salgada (savory cracker rings), and biscoito de coco (coconut cookies). We set off on a campus tour, visiting the Health Sciences Center and the Dental School, where we had the opportunity to meet several faculty members. The morning offered valuable insights into the university's programs and their approach to dental education.
In the afternoon, we shadowed the preventive dentistry team at the university hospital and learned about the Future Smile Program, an initiative that integrates dental care with medical care, which one of CU’s faculty members, Dr. Raquel Baroni de Carvalho, helped create 12 years ago. The program highlights the importance of oral hygiene early in life, even during maternity visits for new or expectant mothers. This initiative has significantly decreased early childhood caries in the area.
It was an eye-opening experience to witness the collaborative approach to healthcare and dentistry in Brazil.
The day continued with a hands-on skills lab focused on dental implant guides. It was fascinating to watch Brazilian students craft these guides. For lunch, we enjoyed a traditional Brazilian buffet full of local specialties.
To wrap up the day, we delivered a presentation on American dentistry and our school, highlighting the differences between dental practices in the U.S. and Brazil. The collaboration was both enjoyable and engaging, with local dental students showing great interest in learning more about our approach to dentistry. We then headed to a nearby restaurant where we savored a delicious meal and reflected on the day’s experiences.
Lexi Bender and classmates gave a presentation on American dentistry and the CU School of Dental Medicine, highlighting the differences between dental practices in the U.S. and Brazil.
Tuesday: Interdisciplinary Clinics & Forensic Dentistry
Today was packed with clinical experiences. We began by shadowing in the interdisciplinary clinic, where we observed the use of surgical guides made by dental students for implant placement. This was followed by a visit to the oral surgery unit, where we saw several third molar extractions. I was surprised to see dental students hand-writing health records and post-operative instructions rather than using printed versions, which is what I’m used to.
Next, we headed to the pediatric dental clinic, where we encountered some intriguing cases, including amelogenesis imperfecta – a genetic condition where the outer layer of the teeth doesn't form properly, causing them to look discolored, small or misshapen, and be more prone to cavities – and a geminated tooth, which happens when a single developing tooth tries to split into two but doesn't fully separate, so it looks like one big tooth with two parts, often sharing one root.
It was remarkable to see these rare conditions in real life, especially since we had just studied them a few months ago in dental anatomy. I also observed students taking film-based X-rays, which made me appreciate the convenience of digital radiographs.
After another delicious and traditional Brazilian buffet lunch, we visited the Faculdades Integradas Espírito-Santenses (FAESA) School of Dentistry, part of FAESA Central University – a private dental school in Vitória, where we observed a range of dental procedures and learned about techniques used in treating cancer patients, such as low-level laser therapy to help treat mucositis. We then toured FAESA’s campus, enjoying the beautiful views and gaining insight into the private institution.
[Top photo: Students from the University of Colorado School of Dental Medicine, the Universidade Federal do Espírito Santo (UFES) and the Faculdades Integradas Espírito-Santenses (FAESA) School of Dentistry enjoyed time together, learning valuable lessons with and from each other.]
Later in the afternoon, we attended a lecture on forensic dentistry, which was an exciting and unique learning opportunity for us, as we don’t receive much training on the subject at CU SDM. Dr. Savio Pereira introduced us to various aspects of forensic dentistry, including fingerprinting, anthropology, dental identification and DNA analysis.
Dinner was at Partido Alto, a popular spot near Camburi Beach, where we indulged in a traditional Brazilian fish stew called Moqueca, served over rice. It was a perfect end to the day, followed by a relaxing walk along the beach.
CU Dental students observed a variety of dental and surgical procedures during their service-learning global oral health trip to Brazil.
Wednesday: Public Health & Historic Sites
The morning began with visits to two community healthcare centers. First, we went to Praia Suá, a public primary care center, to observe Brazil’s approach to dental outreach at the community level. We then visited a secondary care center (CEO/CME) that operates within the Sistema Único de Saúde (SUS) system, which offers free, universal access to healthcare for all legal residents of Brazil. It was enlightening to see how the centers manage care and adapt to the challenges of providing services for people from different communities.
We also made a short stop at the historic Catedral Metropolitana Nossa Senhora da Vitória (our Lady of Victory Cathedral) in the old city of Vitória.
For lunch, we stopped at a local mall, then enjoyed some açaí for dessert. In the afternoon, we visited the Carmem Lucia Foundation in Vila Velha, a non-governmental organization dedicated to improving the lives of children and families in local communities. I was deeply moved by the foundation's work in promoting health, education and social empowerment.
The day ended with a tour of Convento da Penha, a historic monastery offering breathtaking views of the surrounding area. It was a peaceful and reflective moment — a perfect balance to the day’s busy activities.
During some time away from lectures and clinics, students toured Convento de Penha, a historic monastery in Vitória, Brazil, with breathtaking views.
Thursday: Trauma Surgery & Private Practice
We started the day at Hospital Estadual de Urgência Emergência (HEUE), where we observed several trauma surgeries, including a particularly striking oral and maxillofacial procedure. We watched as a team of surgeons performed a zygomatic arch and orbital bone reconstruction — an unforgettable experience that provided valuable insight into trauma surgery in Brazil.
We had lunch at Galetinho, a local favorite offering a buffet by weight. In the afternoon, we visited a private dental practice led by Dr. Marco Masioli. There, we participated in a hands-on course on dental resins and aesthetic dentistry. We learned about the importance of color, hue and chroma when working with composite materials and how the order of placement can impact the outcome. The practice itself was beautiful, and we gained a wealth of practical knowledge from Dr. Masioli’s expertise, especially learning about his invention, Masilight, which captures high-quality dental images using your smart phone.
The evening concluded with a relaxing dinner at Canto do Vinho, where we enjoyed good food and excellent company, reflecting on the week’s experiences.
CU Dental students visited a private dental practice lead by Dr. Marco Masioli.
Friday: Periodontology Lecture & Clinic
On our final day of clinical rotations, we began with a lecture on periodontology, where we learned about the latest trends in gum disease treatment and oral health maintenance. The lecture was followed by a morning session in the Perio Clinic, where we observed periodontal procedures like crown lengthening and had the chance to ask questions and engage with faculty.
It was a fitting conclusion to the week, as I gained a deeper understanding of the importance of periodontics and its role in comprehensive dental care. The day wrapped up with final reflections and some free time to prepare for our departure.
Reflecting on this incredible week, I feel an overwhelming sense of gratitude for the opportunity to learn from such talented faculty and passionate students.
Every interaction, from classroom discussions to casual conversations, was an opportunity to absorb new perspective on dentistry and global healthcare.
I am especially grateful to our faculty for ensuring that we not only had an enriching educational experience but also felt comfortable and connected throughout the journey. Their commitment to expanding our horizons as students, both academically and culturally, has made this trip one of the most impactful and memorable of my educational career.
Alexandria (Lexi) Bender is a first-generation student pursuing a dual degree in the Doctor of Dental Surgery (DDS) and Master of Public Health (MPH) programs on the CU Anschutz Medical Campus. A Colorado native, she is also an Army Scholar in the Health Professions Scholarship Program.
