Dental Internships Abroad

Dental internships abroad for international students are a great opportunity for everyone who is studying to become a dentist and would like to gain some valuable work experience abroad...

banner
Show All 42 Programs

Dental internships for international students

Students studying to become a dentist and eager to gain invaluable dental volunteer opportunities abroad, you have found your perfect project! If you agree that the most beautiful thing about a person is their smile, volunteer for an internship in dentistry abroad and maintain those bright smiles. Contribute and join one of the dental internship projects to provide better dental care in regions where it is needed most. Become a dentist abroad and practice with limited resources and help those less fortunate to keep their smile. Projects in Peru to Tanzania are waiting for you. Quickly pack your bags and utensils and prepare for a life-changing experience. A dental mission trip can be the start or addition to a promising career in dentistry!

🦷 Why Do a Dental Internship Abroad?

The developed world acknowledges the need for dental health care but that’s not the case in developing countries. This is where a dental mission trip can be a real game-changer.The medical systems in many countries can barely keep up and the act of maintaining dental hygiene is often completely sidelined. Fortunately, there are projects abroad that are taking action and offering solutions to less privileged communities to receive the care they deserve. Each program is constantly in need of volunteers to help lessen the workload. This is where you come in. Students with a medical background in dentistry can join one of the international volunteer projects and gain practical dental hygiene experience abroad as an intern.

The following facts about dental hygiene provided by the WHO will give you an idea of the state of dental health in the world:

  • Worldwide, 60–90% of school children and nearly 100% of adults have dental cavities.
  • Dental cavities can be prevented by maintaining a constant low level of fluoride in the oral cavity.
  • Severe periodontal (gum) disease, which may result in tooth loss, is found in 15–20% of middle-aged (35-44 years) adults.
  • Globally, about 30% of people aged 65–74 have no natural teeth.
  • Oral disease in children and adults is higher among poor and disadvantaged population groups.
  • Risk factors for oral diseases include an unhealthy diet, tobacco use, harmful alcohol use, and poor oral hygiene, and social determinants.

As you can see, oral disease is higher among poor and disadvantaged population groups. They often can’t rely on proper health care solutions for dental health and will have poor dental hygiene leading to other diseases. Dental healthcare is usually not covered by insurance and not considered a priority. When children don’t get dental care, the rest of their lives will be led with poor dental hygiene which can lead to other health issues. Become a medical internship volunteer in dentistry and help address this issue in areas where it is needed most. Inspire children to make dental care a habit and a priority and give them the treatment they need.

This will not only be a medical journey for volunteers. This experience will also give volunteers an insight into the healthcare situation in that particular part of the world and allow you to think of solutions which will benefit the community in the long run.

😁 What Will I Do During a Dental Internship Abroad?

It is required that all dental internship volunteers are studying dentistry if they want to apply as volunteers for a medical program abroad. You will get responsibilities according to the level of your experience. Students with no practical experience will get to observe experienced colleagues while volunteers who are further down the line will work directly with patients.

Tasks can range from practical tasks to educational seminars to administrative work. You may learn different methods of treatment as volunteer dental assistant. Thisis common when you work as a dentist in a completely different part of the world where resources and tools are very limited or even absent! Some of the tasks you may be able to expect are the following:

  • Extractions
  • Fillings and scaling
  • Routine dental check-ups
  • Educational seminars
  • Raising awareness among the community about the importance of dental hygiene

🌍 Best Places for Dental Volunteer Programs Abroad

Are you excited about traveling abroad to help those in need? Your adventure will most like bring you to Latin America or Africa. These poor regions are in dire need of dental health support. The Dominican Republic, Peru, Ghana, and Tanzania are truly inspiring places with endless options to explore and discover.

Students who want to experience the island life can head to the Dominican Republic while those who are attracted by dramatic landscapes and culture can opt to do a program in Peru. Ghana and Tanzania are African destinations for dental internship students who want to feel and experience the African continent.

Whichever project you choose, you can rely on it being a truly unique experience that will bring you closer to the local community and make a difference in their healthcare.

🎁 5 Benefits of Dental Volunteer Progams Abroad

There’s no doubt that volunteering in itself is a fantastic thing to do. By volunteering for dental internship opportunities abroad, you will be contributing to an important pillar of healthcare. But let’s look at what benefits this experience will have in store for you.

Learning Opportunities

By volunteering, you will gain practical hands-on experience in dentistry. You will learn how to work in circumstances with limited resources and learn different techniques and solutions for given problems. Aside from the practical knowledge, you will learn about your destination and its unique culture.

People

Once you decide to volunteer abroad, you will meet a lot of new people. You’ll be in touch with the local community and connect with other students who have similar goals and interests. You’re bound to build meaningful friendships that may last for years to come.

Experiences

By doing a volunteer project abroad, you’ll be out of your comfort zone and challenging yourself. Traveling to the other side of the world and working on a specific project will allow you to experience something completely different. New experiences are very valuable because you build resilience and become more adaptable and flexible. This experience will prepare you for future challenges.

Happiness

Research has shown that people who contribute are happier. Volunteering gives people a sense of purpose. Those who volunteer have lower mortality rates, function better and suffer less from depression later in life.

Travel

Students who love to travel will get the opportunity to discover some of the most phenomenal destinations. Destinations like Peru and Tanzania are options that are at your fingertips. Volunteer and explore these gems!

Volunteer and witness how your life improves because of it. It’s just a click away.

🧐 Who Can Become a Dental Volunteer Abroad?

You may wonder if you are cut out for volunteering for a dental internship project. Although this list is not conclusive, we have listed a few personality traits which are great to have if you decide to volunteer as a dental intern.

  • a social mindset
  • a good work ethic
  • a professional attitude to work
  • the ability to work as part of a team
  • medical background
  • great communication skills
  • adaptability to different types of tasks
  • initiative
  • enthusiasm
  • resilience
  • a non-judgmental approach and respect for diversity
  • solution oriented
  • great cultural awareness
  • a strong regard for health and safety
  • eagerness to travel
  • dedication

As a volunteer for one of the dental programs abroad, you will face challenges during the program. This is normal and it should not discourage you. Doing your best and looking for solutions where possible is all that is expected.

What language skills are required?

English is the main language on all projects so it’s important that volunteers have a good understanding of English. This is important to communicate with the staff at the project center and other volunteers. For projects in South America, it is helpful if you have a basic knowledge of Spanish as many locals don’t speak any English.

🚀 How Do I Volunteer for a Dental Internship Abroad?

So you’ve decided you want to volunteer for a dental internship program. Once you’ve taken a look at some of the available projects you would love to volunteer for, take a look at the first 3 steps which will send you on your way to your dental internship:

  1. Check whether there’s a match between the project requirements and your skills.
  2. Take a look at the location of the project and decide whether it would be a location you are willing to travel to.
  3. Get in touch with the organization and see whether your expectations and your schedule match up.

Almost done! Once you know your destination, take the following 2 steps before setting off on your volunteer adventure:

  1. Look into the visa requirements for the country you will volunteer in.
  2. Make sure you have a valid passport.

When these 5 items are sorted, you are good to go! Let your healthcare volunteer adventure begin and watch how you improve the life of others and your own. Peru, Tanzania or the Dominican Republic? These dream destinations await you during your dental mission trip!