WHAT IS AN OVERSEAS DENTAL ELECTIVE WITH WORK THE WORLD?
Dental electives abroad are placements undertaken in a low-resource hospital in the developing world.
Right away you’ll see how the local healthcare system contrasts with your own. In that clinical setting, you’ll get experience with both practices and conditions you’ve never seen before.
You choose the destination you want to travel to and the areas you want to experience — from general oral hygiene to maxillofacial surgery. The whole placement is completely customisable.
On your dental placement, you’ll see cases of decay far more advanced than what you’ve seen before. You’ll also learn how cultural issues impact care (oral hygiene is a secondary concern in some of our destinations), and see how local dentists cope with equipment shortages.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS OF A DENTAL ELECTIVE ABROAD?
Our dentistry placements help you stand out from all the other dental students who’ll graduate alongside you.
On our placements for dental students and graduates, you’ll:
- Expand your clinical knowledge and skill set
- Develop your confidence and resourcefulness
- Build your personal and professional network
- Sharpen your verbal and non-verbal communication
- Become more attractive to employers
As a dental student, electives in our partner hospitals run Monday to Friday, which means your evenings and weekends are yours to do with as you please. You might choose to go on an adventure across whichever destination you’ve travelled to.
WHO ARE WE?
We're Work the World — The authority in designing and organising dental electives abroad. Since 2005 we’ve built healthcare placements (including dental placements) for more than 18,000 students and graduates from 450+ universities all over the world.
We provide a personal, end-to-end service that includes:
Placement customisation (choose your destination and areas of clinical interest) | Comprehensive pre-trip support | 24/7 in-country support team | Private, catered accommodation
You’ll arrive on a Sunday (we operate 52 weeks a year so travel whenever suits you), and placement durations start from one week upwards.
For more detail about how our service works click here.
AM I ELIGIBLE?
You can go on a dental placement abroad if:
- You are undertaking a dentistry degree
- You have recently graduated dentistry degree
WHERE DO I START?
Step one: Speak to our team of experts. We’re here to answer your questions, help you choose a destination, and secure your space (places are limited).
Get in touch using the short enquiry form.
DESTINATIONS
Ghana - Takoradi
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Ghana’s African atmosphere is evident in its lively markets and through its friendly local people. The area has a fascinating history, with old colonial slave forts dotted along the coast, and plenty of chances to go on safari. You might also choose to hike to waterfalls hidden deep in the jungle or to visit local villages.
On your dental elective, you’ll have the opportunity to observe advanced oral conditions uncommon in the developed world. Time on the wards will highlight the severity of conditions like pulpitis, gingivitis, and periodontitis in people of all ages. Read stories from those who’ve already undertaken a dental placement abroad in Takoradi.
Sri Lanka - Kandy
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Explore the Kandy’s many shrines and ornate Buddhist temples, one of which is rumoured to contain the tooth of the Buddha. The country is also home to elephants, jaguars, and leopards, which you’ll be able to spot if you go on a jungle safari.
Under the supervision of local specialists in our partner hospital’s Dentistry Department, you'll witness how a lack of resource impacts patient care. You could also see cases of oral cancer, which will open your eyes to issues faced by local staff. Read stories from those who’ve already undertaken a dental placement abroad in Kandy.
Tanzania - Dar es Salaam
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Dar es Salaam is the second most expansive city in Tanzania. It’s becoming an urban metropolis, but being a coastal city surrounded by game parks, mountains, forests, and white beaches, the region also has a wealth of natural beauty.
When it comes to your dental elective, ideas you might have about developing healthcare will be challenged. As many Tanzanians suffer from oral health issues due to contaminated water and a lack of oral health education, you could encounter a range of advanced cases on your dentistry placement, learning about oral surgery and pathology and a lot more. Read stories from those who’ve already travelled with us to Dar es Salaam.
Nepal - Kathmandu
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Kathmandu is the proud capital of Nepal, home to an ancient culture spanning back thousands of years. It’s also surrounded by natural beauty holding plenty of opportunity for adventure. Trek through lush jungles, plunge from the world’s highest bungee platform or even ride an elephant.
On your dental elective, you could encounter everything from routine check-ups to abscess surgeries. Demonstrate enthusiasm and opportunities across Maxillofacial, Prosthodontics, and Endodontics could also become available to you. Read stories from those who’ve already undertaken a dentistry placement with us in Kathmandu.
"I was able to see some oral cancers at the OMF clinic which was useful as I had been taught what they might look like but I had never seen any cases in real life."
Hannah Atkinson , University of Birmingham 2024
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"We visited ancient squares and temples, like Durbar Square, and went to see the view from the top of Chandragiri Hills. It was incredible."
Tom Phillips, University of Sheffield 2023
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"A lot of the time we were working with no x-rays. This meant a lot of procedures, such as extractions for example were kind of performed blind."
Stefan Gabora, Iuliu Hatieganu University of Medicine 2022
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"Due to the lack of resources, rubber dams and rotary instruments were not readily available."
Leo Sim, Queen's University, Belfast 2019
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"Ghana does have many of the same treatments available as we do at home, but many people cannot afford it."
Tess Everatt, University of Sheffield 2018
Read moreWhat do our dental electives offer?
A Work the World dental elective gives you the chance to undertake a clinical placement in the developing world. You will spend time in a low-resource hospital and see unfamiliar practices and advanced conditions. You can even choose the departments you want to rotate through. Learn more here.
What are the benefits of a Work the World dental elective?
The benefits of our dental electives include:
- Expanding your clinical knowledge and skill set
- Becoming more confident, independent and resourceful
- Making yourself more attractive to employers
- Doing some proper travelling
- Building your personal and professional network
- Sharpening your language and communication skills
- Renewing your perspective on care back home
How can I raise funds for my dental elective?
It’s easier than ever to get the funds together for your overseas dental elective. You can take advantage of government programs like OS-HELP, you can take the initiative by starting your own online fundraising page, and you can apply for a huge number of grants and bursaries to help you along the way. Learn how easy it is to raise as much as you need.
What kinds of cases will I see on a Work the World dental elective?
You will see cases like:
- Severe pulpitis, gingivitis, and periodontitis among young people
- Various oral cancers
- Oral abscesses
- Maxillofacial trauma
- Cleft palate/cleft lip
How long is a Work the World dental elective?
A dental elective is as long as you want it to be. Our minimum elective duration is one week, but students typically travel on their dental electives for 4 weeks. There is no upper limit to how long you can travel for.
