Virginia Tech University Dental Brigade May 2026 Panama Chapter Site

What You Should Know

Population: 4.5M
Age Range: 77% of Panamanians are between the ages of 15–64
While Panama has made progress in expanding healthcare, rural and Indigenous regions, especially in the Comarca and Darién, continue to face deep disparities. Access to care is limited by geography, infrastructure, and resource allocation.
Our global health initiatives in Panama focus on partnering with remote and Indigenous communities to provide mobile medical services, empower Community Health Workers, and strengthen sustainable healthcare systems.

Passport Requirements

Passport Requirements
A valid US or Canadian passport is required to travel on all Global Brigades programs. Ensure your passport is valid for at least 6 months beyond your return date. This is required by most countries for entry.
If you’re applying for or renewing a passport, we recommend doing so as early as possible, as processing times may vary. Not a U.S. citizen? Please check with your advisor for country-specific requirements.

Global Brigades Overview

What you'll experience in country!

Serve alongside local professionals: Support mobile medical clinics and public health initiatives with community members, doctors, and local staff.
Start with purpose, end with reflection: Daily briefings and team reflections connect your work to our larger mission.
Hands-on community impact: Contribute to projects like medical and dental care, water systems, or eco-stove construction.
Experience multiple roles: Rotate through intake, triage, pharmacy, education, and construction stations.
Learn through cultural exchange: Engage with local leaders and staff to better understand community context and strength.
Logistics handled: Transportation, meals, lodging, and safety are organized so you can focus on service and learning, plus a 3:1 staff-to-student ratio to guide and support you every step of the way
Return changed: Walk away with a new perspective on health equity, systems change, and your role in global impact.

See what else you'll experience while on Brigade!
Watch the brief video below on what you can expect in country.

Additional Travel Prep & Planning

Registration, Insurance, Vaccines... oh my!

Register and start fundraising on your MyBrigades page
If you haven't yet, and you're ready to officially join the team, click the link to register and set up your personal fundraising profile. This is where volunteers sign up for the Brigade and begin raising their Donation Goal, fueling everything from local medical staff and supplies to in-country transportation and year-round programs. Every donation supports sustainable health access for the community you’ll serve.
GB Traveler’s Insurance: What's Covered & Not
All volunteers participating in a Global Brigade are automatically covered by traveler’s insurance as part of their Donation Goal. This includes emergency medical care, evacuation support, and travel-related incidents like lost baggage or delayed flights.

While the coverage offers peace of mind, we always recommend that volunteers review the Insurance Overview to understand what is (and isn’t) included. If any team members plan to extend their travel or add additional coverage, they may choose to purchase supplementary insurance through a third-party provider.
What should I pack
Don’t stress—we’ve got your back. Ask our BrigadeBot! Just type: “packing for [Country]” and you’ll get a customized list so your team shows up prepared and confident.
Group travel safety made simple
We know that traveling with a team comes with questions around safety and security. Here's a Safety & Security link to review as a group and share with families back home. It covers protocols, in-country support, and what we do to ensure volunteer well-being every step of the way.
Vaccines, what you need to know
All Volunteers: We encourage every participant to consult with their healthcare provider or campus health clinic at least 6–8 weeks before departure to review the CDC's country-specific recommendations.
Other Vaccines: Depending on your destination and time of year, your provider may recommend vaccines like Hepatitis A, Typhoid, or routine boosters such as Tetanus. Here are some helpful resources so your team can feel informed and confident while planning ahead. Preparing for your health is one more way we show respect for the communities we partner with, and for one another.

Ghana Brigades: The Yellow Fever vaccine is mandatory and must be documented in an official Yellow Card (International Certificate of Vaccination). You’ll need to present this at immigration when you arrive. Plan ahead, as appointments for Yellow Fever vaccination can be limited. Click here to find a clinic in your region.
Get ready to lead Charlas or Health Education Workshops
One of the most impactful roles volunteers play is helping lead Charlas, a short health education workshop within our partner communities. While your topic will be assigned a month prior to being in-country, here's a quick Insta video overview of what to expect, why these workshops matter, and how your team can prepare to step up with confidence and cultural sensitivity.
If you made it to the end, congratulations! And if you haven't registered yet, click here

Virginia Tech University

PANAMA DENTAL BRIGADE

What You Should Know

Total Donation Goal & Deadlines

Passport Requirements

Team Flights

Helpful Links

Global Brigades Overview

What you'll experience in country!

Additional Travel Prep & Planning

Registration, Insurance, Vaccines... oh my!