Dental nurse Karima Ewida shares how volunteering at a refugee camp in Lesvos reignited her passion for dentistry – and gave her the chance to make a real difference.
As a locum dental nurse, I’ve always loved the variety and flexibility that comes with my role.
But recently, I had the opportunity to use my skills in a completely different setting – volunteering with Crisis Management Association (CMA) at a dental clinic inside a refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesvos.
It’s something I’d wanted to do for a long time but when I was an employee, it never quite felt doable, between work commitments and financial limitations.
Now as a locum dental nurse, I finally have the flexibility to say yes to using my skills in a more meaningful way, to help others.
Discovering CMA: an accessible way to give back
I found out about the CMA through dentists I’d worked with on locum placements who had volunteered previously and spoke so highly about the opportunity.
What really appealed to me was how accessible it was to volunteer with the CMA. Unlike some volunteer initiatives that require fundraising thousands of pounds, CMA asks for a manageable contribution of just €350.
A warm welcome and smooth start
From the moment I arrived, I was blown away by how well organised everything was.
The CMA HR team supported me ahead of the trip with any questions and I was greeted at Mytilene airport by a coordinator who even gave me a mini tour of the island on the way to the volunteer house.
I arrived on a Sunday, which gave me time to settle in before meeting the rest of the team and heading to the camp on Monday. We were given a tour of the camp and an introduction to the work being done by various NGOs supporting the camp’s residents.
Many of the residents have faced unimaginable hardships and I will never forget the looks of warmth, kindness and hopefulness on everyone’s faces when we met them.
Inside Mavrovouni camp
The dental clinic is located inside Mavrovouni refugee camp on the Greek island of Lesvos.
The dental clinic is based inside an ISO container (similar to a shipping unit) but it functions just like a standard UK surgery. It’s fully stocked with essentials thanks to donations and has everything needed to perform X-rays, fillings, extractions and even root canal treatments.
‘At first, many were understandably apprehensive but once we helped relieve their pain, they began referring friends and family’
The camp has housed up to 6,000 individuals, over a third of whom are children, some who are unaccompanied minors. Most of the patients we saw were from Syria, Afghanistan and Palestine.
Each appointment was approached case-by-case, often beginning with triage and pain management, followed by follow-ups for less urgent care. Many patients hadn’t seen a dentist in years, if ever, so this service was a lifeline.
Building trust
It was incredible to see the shift in patients’ demeanour!
At first, many were understandably apprehensive but once we helped relieve their pain, they began referring friends and family.
That level of trust was one of the most rewarding aspects of the entire experience.
We also ran oral hygiene education sessions for the children, which they were so engaged with! We talked about brushing techniques, sugar intake and prevention. One of the dentists even made up goodie bags with toothbrushes, toothpaste, colouring books and balloons. They were a hit!
One little girl was so excited about her new toothbrush that she started practising her brushing right there in the room, grinning through the foam and making the other children laugh. Moments like that showed how something so small could spark so much joy.
Thanks to my Arabic language skills, I was able to help translate during appointments and deliver oral health education more effectively. This made a real difference in building rapport with Arabic-speaking patients and ensuring they understood the care they were receiving.
One of our patients was so grateful that we squeezed him into an already busy day that he came to his dental appointment with a gift for the team, freshly baked bread from the bakery where he works, along with a bag of freshly picked oranges. It was such a thoughtful gesture, and a reminder of how much this service means to people.
Some of the moments I experienced will stay with me forever. They’ve left a mark I’ll never forget.
Not long after I got home, CMA invited me to return over the summer to support the clinic again. I didn’t hesitate for a moment. Being asked to come back was one of the biggest compliments I could receive as a volunteer. Going back felt like returning to friends – to a team and a community I’d quickly grown connected to. The second trip was every bit as meaningful, if not more so, than the first.
A life-changing trip
As a dental nurse who loves to travel, this experience ticked every box.
After clinic hours, I often stopped at the beach for a swim, explored Mytilene’s charming streets, joined a gym or relaxed in the local geothermal spa.
The weather was gorgeous, the food was incredible and the people were even better! We also enjoyed team dinners, sightseeing trips and plenty of downtime to reflect.
One dentist even brought his family along! What a great way to combine meaningful work with quality time.
Rediscovering my purpose in dentistry
Professionally, this trip reignited my passion for dentistry. It reminded me why I entered this field in the first place: to help others.
Personally, it was incredibly humbling. It gave me perspective and made me reflect on just how fortunate we are. Something truly incredible happens when you give someone a reason to smile!
How you can help
I want to encourage all dental professionals, whether you’re a dentist, hygienist or dental nurse, to consider volunteering.
If time isn’t an option, you can still support the clinic through monetary or physical donations. The clinic runs entirely on volunteers and donations. Without them, it can’t stay open.
Interested in volunteering or supporting the cause? Email CMA at hr@crisismanagementassociation.com.
Every bit of help makes a difference.
Whether you give time, resources or encouragement, you could be giving someone more than dental care. You could be giving them dignity, confidence and a reason to smile again!
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