Dentistry Electives Abroad

Are you a dental student looking for a dental internship abroad? Or a dental practitioner looking for a dental volunteer opportunity? Our dentistry placement programs in Africa are customized to help meet your clinical objectives through exposure and hand-on experience into a unique differentiated dental system through mentorship and supervision

Due to lack or inadequate knowledge, and the huge imbalance of dentist-patient population ratio in Kenya and Tanzania, very few people have access to quality oral health. Dental resources and technology are also limited. This gives you a chance to learn to practice with limited resources.

You will encounter dental practices and conditions you’re unlikely to have encountered in your home country. According to WHO, oral diseases in children and adults is higher among poor and disadvantaged population groups.

A dentistry elective abroad will give you global oral health insights, dental work experience abroad, skills, and expertise necessary to succeed in your future career as a dentist. 

Elective Africa dentistry internships give you a chance to make an impact as you study; develop your professional and personal growth through volunteering in our community outreach programs and dental hygiene clinics as a way of giving back to the communities that we operate in.

You will also immerse yourself in a new culture, an opportunity to experience an African safari or trek Mt. Kilimanjaro; (take a look at this Youtube video to see if it is worth the trip).

Our program follows the ADEA Guidelines for Ethical Academic and Industry Interactions.

Why Undertake Your Dental Internship Abroad

Once you are in the hospital, you will be assigned an experienced dentist as a mentor. You’ll work alongside them and observe as they perform dental procedures. Your mentor will help you achieve your dental clinical rotation objectives and share his personal insight into the field.

Your dentistry elective will be customized depending on your interests and the number of departments you want to shadow.

Working in a real-life medical facility in Africa will give you a chance to challenge what you read in books and also: 

• Get a global outlook on the state of dental health in developing countries, and how dentists cope with limited resources
• Understand the impact of poverty and socio-cultural traditions on oral health.
• See oral diseases and conditions such as decay advanced well beyond what you’ve seen before
• Garner hands-on dental work experience and expand your clinical knowledge and skills 
• Develop your communication skills, confidence, inventiveness, adaptability, empathy, and teamwork.
• Appreciate diversity and acquire cultural intelligence
• Create lasting memories and shared learning experiences with fellow participants in international volunteer programs.
• Travel, unwind, and explore your placement destination,

Specialties in the Dental Internship Program Abroad

Specialties include periodontics, prosthodontics, dental public health, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, and maxillofacial surgery.

Under supervision and mentorship/ depending on your level of experience program participants get the chance to participate in basic dental care including:

1. Gum treatment for bleeding and swollen gums
2. Restorative dentistry (permanent filling in decayed teeth)
3. Extraction of erupted teeth and the removal of fractured roots
4. Management of traumatic injuries of the teeth and the soft tissues of the mouth
5. Orthodontic treatment
6. Replacement of missing teeth by removable dentures 
7. Routine dental check-ups
8. Root canal treatment,  maxillo-facial surgery 
9. Educational seminars and raising awareness among the community about the importance of dental hygiene

While these activities look more or less what one may have been exposed to their diagnosis as well as their treatment methods differ. Through this dental elective, you will get to learn how innovation and creativity are applied to deliver dental care with limited resources.

Program Duration

Typical dental internship abroad ranges from 2 to 12 weeks per country. Your program will be customized depending on your dentistry school requirements,  personal preferences, and clinical rotation objectives.

Dental students and volunteers who spend more time on their programs have scope to become better integrated over time, gain increased insight into culture and understanding of international oral health. 

Do you want to Come with a Group of Friends?

You may opt to travel alone and join a group of participants or travel as a group and make memories together.

You may also have the opportunity to get a group discount if you tag along with your friend(s) or classmate(s). For more information on groups, contact our placements advisors at operations@electiveafrica.com or inquire here!

What Is Included in the Dental Internship Abroad

Our aim has always been to provide you with a memorable, adventurous, and hassle-free program in Kenya and Tanzania.

We provide you with detailed pre-departure information such that you can plan your dental elective overseas down to the finest detail.

The program includes:

1. An internship program customized to your dentistry school elective requirements and clinical interests.
2. A comprehensive pre-departure guide.
3. Airport transfers as per different location guidelines.
4. Designated mentors and support from local staff.
5. Gated, safe and comfortable houses complete with in-house catering, Wi-Fi access, and support staff.
6. Biweekly global health tutorials.
7. Two-way transport to your clinical site.
8. Basic Swahili lessons twice a week.
9. Certificate of participation on program completion.
10. Volunteer activities as per schedule by local staff.
11. A chance to explore and travel: safaris, excursions, and mountaineering as optional add-on activities.

Help the World Smile!

If you agree that the most beautiful thing about a person is their smile, reach out to us for a customized dental volunteer program abroad and make the smiles brighter. We’re proud to support future talent who’ll bring vital skills to communities in need. For more information, download a free brochure of our dental internships abroad in 2024 & summer 2025.

Click Here to APPLY and Start your Journey of Joining us for a Valuable Dentistry Internship Abroad!