For licensed dental professionals in California
California Dental Mission Trips
CE-Credit Dental Volunteer Trips to Kenya & Ghana
Serve underserved communities in Kenya or Ghana, earn up to 12+ CE hours accepted for your California dental license renewal, and explore Africa on an unforgettable Safari California Dental CE all in one purposeful trip. Dentists, hygienists, and assistants fly from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, San Jose, and Sacramento on every departure.
500+
12+
8–12
$3,300
One California Dental Mission Trip. Three Transformations.
Every Safari N Smiles mission is built for California dental professionals who want to serve, connect, and explore without compromising on any one of the three.
Clinical Dental Care
Perform extractions, fillings, cleanings, and oral health education for communities with little to no access to dental care in Kenya and Ghana.
Community Outreach
Partner with local leaders, schools, and health workers to deliver dental education, screenings, and preventive care that creates lasting impact.
Safari Experience
After your mission days, explore the Maasai Mara, Amboseli, Diani Beach, or Kakum National Park Africa's most extraordinary destinations.
CE Credit Opportunities
Earn up to 12+ ADA CERP-recognized continuing education credits through documented mission participation valuable for your California dental license renewal.
Serving dental teams statewide
Dental Mission Trips From Every Corner of California
Most of our volunteers come from California’s largest metros. We coordinate group flights, airport transfers, and travel documents around each city’s international gateway through our Safari California Dental CE program, so your practice loses as little clinic time as possible.
LAX · Los Angeles
Los Angeles Dental Mission Trips
Our largest volunteer group. Direct LAX routings to Nairobi and Accra, plus pre-trip briefings hosted for LA County and Orange County practices.
SAN · San Diego
San Diego Dental Mission Trips
Popular with San Diego and Chula Vista dentists who already volunteer locally and want an international mission with CE documentation.
SFO · San Francisco
San Francisco Dental Volunteer Trips
Bay Area teams from San Francisco, Oakland, and Berkeley travel together on our spring and fall Kenya departures.
SMF · Sacramento
Sacramento Dental Mission Trips
Sacramento, Elk Grove, and Roseville volunteers connect through SFO or LAX with transfers arranged by our travel desk.
SJC · San Jose
San Jose Dental Mission Trips
Silicon Valley dental groups from San Jose, Santa Clara, and Sunnyvale often send full teams of four to six volunteers.
FAT · Fresno
Fresno & Central Valley Missions
Central Valley clinicians in Fresno, Bakersfield, and Stockton join through LAX or SFO with group ground transport.
We also welcome dental professionals from Long Beach, Anaheim, Irvine, Riverside, Santa Ana, Bakersfield, Oakland, Stockton, Chula Vista, Modesto, Santa Barbara, Palm Springs, and Berkeley if you practice anywhere in California, there is a departure that works for your schedule.
Previous Missions
Real Missions. Real Impact.
Hundreds of patients served, communities transformed, and California dental professionals who returned home changed forever.
8 Days That Change Everything
A sample itinerary for the Kenya Mission Trip & Safari. Full details provided after application.
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Arrive in Nairobi
Fly from LA, SFO, or San Diego. Airport pickup, welcome dinner, team briefing.
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Mission Day 1 — Community Clinic
Morning clinic setup, first patient sessions. Extractions, fillings, oral health education.
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Mission Day 2 — School Outreach
School dental screenings, preventive care, fluoride treatments for children.
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Mission Day 3 — Community Health Day
Open community clinic. High-volume patient day. Evening debrief and cultural dinner.
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Transfer to Amboseli National Park
Morning game drive — elephants, Mt. Kilimanjaro backdrop. Luxury lodge check-in.
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Full Safari Day
Morning and evening game drives. Big Five sightings. Sundowner on the plains.
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Diani Beach
Optional beach day on the Indian Ocean. White sand, relaxation, water activities.
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Depart for California
Transfer to Nairobi airport. Flights home with a renewed sense of purpose.
Your License. Your Patients. Your Purpose.
The Dental Board of Safari California requires licensed dentists to complete 50 hours of continuing education per two-year renewal cycle. Documented mission participation with Safari California Dental CE Safari N Smiles can contribute up to 12+ CE hours toward that requirement. We provide full documentation of your clinical participation for submission to the Dental Board of California and our team is happy to answer questions from your California practice administrator before you apply.
California Dentists
Who want to make a difference beyond their practice
Built for Dental Professionals Ready to Go Beyond
Safari N Smiles missions are designed specifically for working dental professionals not general volunteers making it a standout Safari California Dental CE opportunity. Your clinical skills are what creates the impact.
General Dentists
Extractions, fillings, preventive care, and oral health education in underserved communities.
Dental Hygienists
Cleanings, fluoride treatments, screenings, and oral health education for children and adults.
Dental Assistants
Support clinical operations and ensure smooth, high-volume patient care during mission days.
Dental Students
Gain real-world clinical exposure under the guidance of experienced dentists in a unique setting.
Non-Clinical Professionals
Photographers, educators, and administrators who want to support the mission and experience Africa.
What our California volunteers say
Trusted by Dental Professionals Across California
Real voices from Los Angeles, San Diego, San Francisco, Sacramento, and San Jose. Real transformation.
Katy Nierman
General Dentist · Los Angeles, CA
Great experience! Saw the big 5 and much more. Thank you, Unami, Keshy, Grace and everyone behind the scenes. The clinic days in Nairobi were the most meaningful dentistry I’ve done in twenty years.
Gloria Herbert
Dental Hygienist · San Diego, CA
What a sensational trip to Kenya! This was my first mission trip and I was unsure what to expect. It turned out to be so fantastic and humbling.
Omar Hamdy
Oral Surgeon · San Jose, CA
Amazing team and they do tremendous work overseas. Highly recommend for any California dentist thinking about volunteering abroad.
Dr. Priya Raman
Practice Owner · San Francisco, CA
I flew out of SFO with two hygienists from my practice. The CE documentation came through within a week and covered a quarter of my renewal cycle. Logistics were flawless.
Dr. Marcus Webb
General Dentist · Sacramento, CA
I had looked at dental mission trips for years and never pulled the trigger. Ghana with Safari N Smiles was the right first step organized, safe, and genuinely needed work.
Angela Tran, RDA
Dental Assistant · Long Beach, CA
As an assistant I wondered if I’d be useful. I was in the thick of it every day, and the safari afterward was the trip of a lifetime.
From Our California Volunteers' Cameras
Upcoming Trips from California
Choose Your Mission
All trips depart from LAX, SFO, or SAN. International flights are not included but we’ll help you book them.
Kenya Mission & Safari
$3,515
8 days · Nov 8–15, 2026
Community outreach + Amboseli safari + Diani Beach. Perfect first mission for California dentists.
- 3 clinical mission days
- Amboseli & Tsavo East safari
- Diani Beach day
- Ground transport & most meals
- 12+ CE hours documented
Most Popular
Kenya Dental Mission & Magical Safari
$3,515
Our flagship mission. More mission days, more Kenya Ol Pejeta, Lake Nakuru, Lake Naivasha, Hell’s Gate.
- 4 clinical dental outreach days
- Ol Pejeta, Nakuru & Naivasha
- Optional Diani Beach extension
- Full team support & supplies
- 12+ CE hours documented
Ghana Dental Mission & Cultural Safari
$3,500
8 days · Mar 23–30, 2027
Accra, Kakum National Park, Cape Coast Castle, and Ghana’s warm, welcoming communities.
- 3 clinical mission days
- Kakum National Park canopy walk
- Cape Coast Castle heritage tour
- Lake Volta boat experience
- 12+ CE hours documented
Answers for California Dental Professionals
Everything you need to know before you apply.
How much does a California dental mission trip cost?
Safari California Dental CE trips start at $3,300 and most California volunteers pay between $3,500 and $3,900 depending on trip length and safari extensions. That covers accommodation, ground transport in Kenya or Ghana, most meals, park fees, mission supplies, and your CE documentation. International airfare from LAX, SFO, SAN, SJC, or SMF is booked separately round-trip fares to Nairobi or Accra typically run $900–$1,500 depending on season.
Is my California dental license valid in Kenya or Ghana?
You practice under a temporary humanitarian authorization coordinated by our in-country partners and the local ministry of health. We handle that paperwork for you — you simply provide a copy of your active Safari California Dental CE California license from the Dental Board of California, your CV, and a passport scan at least eight weeks before departure.
Do these CE hours count toward my California license renewal?
Yes. California dentists must complete 50 CE hours per two-year renewal cycle, and documented mission participation can contribute up to 12+ hours. Safari California Dental CE opportunities like this one issue a certificate detailing clinical hours, procedures, and supervision that you retain for Dental Board of California audit purposes. Always confirm current requirements with the Board, since course-category rules are periodically updated.
Which California airports do volunteers fly from?
Los Angeles (LAX) and San Francisco (SFO) offer the shortest routings to Nairobi and Accra. San Diego (SAN), San Jose (SJC), Sacramento (SMF), Oakland (OAK), and Fresno (FAT) volunteers connect through LAX, SFO, or Seattle. Our travel desk sends recommended itineraries so your group lands together for the airport pickup.
How many days off from my practice will I need?
Plan on 8 to 12 days door to door, which usually means six to eight clinic days away when you use a weekend on each end. Many Los Angeles and San Diego practice owners schedule missions in November or March, historically the quietest periods for elective care.
What dental equipment and supplies are provided?
Portable chairs, compressors, handpieces, sterilization equipment, anesthetic, restorative materials, extraction instruments, and PPE are all supplied on site. You are welcome to bring personal loupes and preferred hand instruments many California volunteers do.
Keep Exploring Before You Apply
Where California volunteers usually go next.
Kenya Dental Mission Trips
Mission days in Nairobi communities plus Masai Mara and Amboseli safari.
Ghana Dental Mission Trips
Accra outreach, Kakum canopy walk, and Cape Coast Castle heritage.
Mission Blog & Volunteer Stories
Trip journals, packing lists, and CE guidance from California volunteers.
How to Volunteer
Requirements, application steps, fundraising tips, and what to expect.
Ready to Serve, Explore, and Return Changed?
Spots on Safari N Smiles missions fill quickly. Express your interest today and a member of our team will reach out within 48 hours.
+1 (800) 505-0874 · info@safarinsmiles.org · Washington DC