Dental nurse Georgiana Vlad explains what she hopes to gain from her upcoming dental volunteering trip to Zimbabwe.
This summer, Perfection Plus teamed up with Dr Mitesh Badiani and Smilestar to offer a funded opportunity for a dental nurse to join one of the charity’s overseas outreach programmes in 2026/2027.
Georgiana was recently announced as the winner and will visit Zimbabwe in March 2025 – she reveals why she applied and what she is most looking forward to.
Stepping out of comfort zone
I’ve been a dental nurse for about nine years now, working with the same dentist the whole time. It’s been amazing seeing the same patients over the years and getting to know them, I’ve built some lovely professional relationships along the way, learned their stories, laughed with them and cried with them. It has been an amazing journey. I really enjoy helping people feel comfortable, supporting them to improve their oral hygiene, and giving personalised advice to help them look after their smiles. It’s a great feeling being part of a team that makes a real difference to people’s confidence and overall dental health.
I applied for the trip because I’ve wanted to do something like this for about eight years, but it never seemed like the right time. Now I feel ready to step out of my comfort zone and use my skills to help people who really need it. I’ve seen the difference these trips can make in underprivileged communities, and it’s heartbreaking how much people can suffer from things that are so easily prevented, things we often take for granted. I just really want to be part of something that makes a genuine difference in people’s lives.
‘I’m also excited to experience a new culture, meet new people, and hear their stories’
I’m really looking forward to helping people who might be anxious or in pain and being able to share my knowledge to help improve their oral health. I want to teach them methods that are suited to their needs and environment, so they can take care of their teeth in a way that works for them. It’s such a great feeling when you can make someone feel more at ease and show them that dental care doesn’t have to be scary.
I’m also excited to experience a new culture, meet new people, and hear their stories. I think it’ll be amazing to learn from them as much as I hope to help – to exchange experiences, perspectives, and connect with people on a real, human level.
A word from Dr Mitesh Badiani, founder of Smilestar
‘I’m so pleased that a dedicated dental nurse Georgiana Vlad will be joining the outreach dental camp in Zimbabwe with Smilestar in March 2026! It’s inspiring to see professionals giving their time and skills to make a real difference in communities that need it most. This kind of compassionate work truly changes lives – one smile at a time.’
Eye-opening experience
As a dental nurse, I hope to gain experience working under pressure and step out of the usual comfort of a clinical setting. I’m keen to learn how to manage cross-infection and adapt to environments that are completely different from what I’m used to, I think it will be eye-opening experience, and it will really help me grow and develop as a professional.
On a personal level, I’m excited to meet the people I’ll be helping, get to know them, and see their daily lives and surroundings. Everything, from the weather and nature to the infrastructure, will be completely new to me, and it’s something I’ve always wanted to experience. Trips like this give you a real, behind-the-scenes view of life, not the carefully planned, tourist-focused version we usually see on holiday. I can’t wait to experience it all and learn from it.
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