DENTAL program
Accessible Dental Care in lesvos’ Mavrovouni Refugee Camp
Since 2020, CMA has been operating a dental clinic within Lesvos’ Mavrovouni refugee camp in Greece, providing free, quality and accessible dental care to camp residents. At the start of the operation, CMA conducted a context analysis and needs assessment to identify existing health needs and determine how best to support the local healthcare system. Limited access to dental care was identified as a key need, making oral healthcare a priority within CMA’s operations.
Access to dental care is essential in humanitarian settings, where limited services and delayed treatment can lead to pain, infection, and preventable complications. Our clinic provides primary dental care Monday to Friday, including:
Fillings | Extractions | Dental Hygiene & Scaling | Root Canal Treatment | Emergency Dental Care
dental care
dental Health promotion
Alongside clinical dental care, CMA conducts oral health promotion and community outreach activities to improve awareness, encourage preventive practices, and support long-term oral health within the camp population. Through engagement with children, caregivers, and community members, these activities promote community participation and help build healthier oral hygiene practices at the household and community level. Recognizing that oral health is an important component of humanitarian public health, CMA also collaborates with other humanitarian actors to strengthen coordinated health promotion efforts within the camp setting.
Continuity of Care Through Electronic Records
CMA has developed a tailored electronic patient record system to support continuity, coordination, and quality of care within the dental clinic. All patient information and treatments are securely documented within the system, enabling dental teams to efficiently access medical histories, previous treatments, and follow-up needs while ensuring consistent, informed, and confidential patient care throughout the program.
Integration With CMA’s Pharmacy Program
The dental clinic works in close coordination with CMA’s pharmacy program to ensure safe and comprehensive patient care. Following dental treatment, patients who require medication - including antibiotics, pain relief, or other prescribed medicines - receive prescriptions directly from the dentist, which are then processed and dispensed through the CMA pharmacy. This integrated approach supports safe medication management, continuity of care, and timely access to essential treatment.
Dental program impact Q1 2026
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In the first quarter of 2026, our dental clinic had a total of 323 patient visits.
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In the first quart of 2026, our dental team provided a total of 317 treatments.
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In the first quarter of 2026, a majority of the dental treatments provided were fillings, extractions, scaling, and RCT stage 1 and 4.
Join our dental team
We are looking for:
Dentists
Dental assistants
Dental nurses
Dental hygienist
FAQs
1. Do I need an international license to volunteer with cma?
No international license is required. However, all volunteers must be insured in their home country and are required to provide proof of valid insurance prior to arrival. We welcome applications from dentists, dental assistants, dental nurses, dental hygienists, and dental students who meet the relevant requirements for their role. For more information about eligibility and volunteer opportunities, please contact our HR team at hr@cma.ngo. Our HR team will be happy to guide you through the onboarding process and answer any questions you may have.
2. What facilities, equipment, and medication are available?
CMA operates from two ISO boxes within Mavrovouni refugee camp on Lesvos. One ISO box is dedicated to the pharmacy program, and the other to the dental program. The dental clinic ISO box includes two treatment rooms equipped to support daily clinical activities. The clinic is stocked with the needed equipment and instruments. Volunteers are not expected to bring their own equipment or instruments. However, volunteers are kindly asked to bring their own gloves, headlight, and scrubs. If you would like to bring any additional instruments or materials, this can be discussed with our team during the onboarding process.
3. Who will I be working with?
You will work alongside CMA’s dedicated on-the-ground team, which includes a Medical Coordinator and Dental Operations Assistant. Depending on the schedule and availability, you may also work alongside other international volunteers.
4. Do I need to bring any equipment to volunteer?
Yes, volunteers are expected to bring essential personal equipment, including gloves, a headlight, and scrubs.
5. What are the working hours?
The CMA dental clinic operates Monday to Friday, from 09:00 to 16:00. Working hours may be adjusted when necessary to accommodate patient needs, clinic activities, or other operational requirements.
6. Where can i find more information about the volunteering program?
For more information about the dental volunteering program, click this link.