Dental Hygienist Volunteer Abroad Opportunities
We welcome Dental Hygienist Volunteers in Ghana, and Sri Lanka
(Click a photo below to go to the project description)
Our two Dental Hygienist Volunteer Programs
Dental Hygienist Volunteer in Ghana
Location: Colombo, and Anuradhapura
Weeks: 2 - 12
Code: SL-De-Hy
Description:
Volunteer Dental Hygienists can join us in the main army hospital in Colombo, as well as at the army’s hospital in Anuradhapura.
Both hospitals carry out all dentistry procedures, with Anuradhapura referring in-patient OMF to the ward at the army’s Colombo hospital.
Both hospitals have full time technicians, making dentures, implants etc., as well as hygienists. The hospital see up to 200 patients a day (140/60 in favour of Colombo) referred through the battalion MOs, or by application by family members’ request for themselves.
You will work under the supervision of the dental staff, on acceptance of your qualifications, if you are qualified. Unqualified hygienists with relevant practice experience will be allowed to practice.
Dental Hygienist Volunteer in Sri Lanka
Location: Accra, Ghana
Weeks: 2 - 12
Code: Gh-De-Hy
Description:
Volunteer Dental Hygienists join us in a main hospital in western Accra, the city where most of Ghana’s dental professionals are located.
Your hygienist volunteering would have a significant impact on the dental care of patients, as well as in supporting the oral health education.
You will be licenced to work by the hospital for up to 12 weeks, working under the supervison of local dental professionals.
Depending on the number of dental volunteers, our local partners arrange village outreaches, which always draw many people who would otherwise find it difficult to access dental care due to location or finance.
You can work a 4-5 day week, giving you time to explore as well.
Dental Hygienist Volunteer Opportunities Abroad│Ghana│Sri Lnaka
Our dental hygienist volunteer opportunities abroad are provided in a hospital in Accra, Ghana, as well as in 2 military hospitals in Sri Lanka.
Sri Lanka
In Sri Lanka, the army hospitals have up to 1.2 patients, being serving members of the army, veterans, and their immediate families. All services are provided free, and are of excellent quality.
All Sri Lankans are entitled to free medical support through the civilian hospitals.
Ghana
The situation in Ghana is quite different.
In Ghana, your work as a dental hygienist volunteer helps to meet the pressing health needs of local people through preventive dentistry education, and carrying out scaling, polishing, and oral health checks. In Ghana, as in Africa more widely, oral health is of critical concern, with few resources targeted at prevention, and dental care itself being inaccessible for most people through there being a lack of dentists, dental hygienists, and is unaffordable for most people.
Dental caries and periodontal diseases are widespread, primarily due to a lack of awareness of proper oral hygiene practices. Many Ghanaians do not have access to a dentist, and are often unaware of the significance of maintaining good oral health. As a result, dental problems are frequently left untreated until they become severe, leading to pain, discomfort, and sometimes even life-threatening.
Whilst Ghana does have dental hygienist training, it seems that too few have previously taken up being dental hygienists as a career, and the focus has been previously on training dentists. Dental hygienist volunteers in Ghana can play a vital role in delivering dental support and education.
In Ghana, our volunteer dental hygienists will be warmly welcomed by the health care professionals, a can draw many people to receive your services when based at local health care centres, particularly our rural centre 20km from Accra, which has its own accommodation for you. You can therefore experience up to 3 types of service delivery, from urban (main) hospital with its dentistry specialisations, to rural healthcare centre (general and referral), and village outreach organised by our partners in Ghana as personnel resources allow.
Join us in Ghana and make an incredible difference in people’s lives and help shape the future of people’s oral health there.
Image courtesy of NLM