An important thing to keep in mind if you are a dental student planning to volunteer abroad in South America is that you will need to brush up on your Spanish phrases if you do not already speak it fluently. Some people you encounter may be able to speak English, but for the most part it is courteous to at least speak some conversational Spanish. This is especially important when you are participating in a MEDLIFE Dental Service Learning Trip. Whether you are working in one of our Mobile Clinics, on a Reality Tour, or working hand-in-hand with a local community on a development project, knowledge of common Spanish phrases will allow you to communicate and connect better with our staff and community members.
Here are some common Spanish phrases that may come in handy while you are on a Dental Service Learning Trip:
Greetings/Introductions
Hola – Hello
Buenos dias – Good morning
Buenas tardes – Good afternoon
Buenas noches – Good evening
¿Cómo está? – How are you?
Bien – Good
Me llamo _____ – My name is ______
Soy de los Estados Unidos – I am from the United States
Adiós – Goodbye
Common Phrases in the Mobile Clinics
Termómetro – Thermometer
Balanza – Scale
Talla – Height
Presión – Pressure
Pararse – To stand
Sígueme – Follow me
Espera – Wait
Respirar – To breathe
Silla – Chair
Boca – Mouth
Brazo – Arm
Pierna – Leg
Pararse – To stand
Sentarse – To sit
Dental Hygiene
Cepillo – Toothbrush
Pasta dental – Toothpaste
Fluor – Fluoride
Isopo – Swab
Vasos – Cups
Arriba – Up/Upper
Abajo – Down/Lower
Agua – Water
Dientes – Teeth
Muelas – Molars
Lengua – Tongue
Encias – Gums
If you are looking for ways to learn and practice Spanish before you volunteer in South America with MEDLIFE, resources like Duolingo, Lingopie, and Babbel are excellent online sources to help you gain more confidence in your Spanish skills. There are also countless resources on Youtube that are incredibly helpful and specific to your needs.
If you are interested in joining an upcoming Dental Service Learning Trip with MEDLIFE, you can visit our website to learn more about the locations we work in and our mission.
