Dentistry Electives Abroad: UK #1 dental school recognised
6 steps to joining our dental electives, including required documentation and where to get UK insurances.
Fully supported dentistry electives abroad
Each dentistry elective abroad program is delivered through English.
with the Sri Lanka Army
Kenya: various hospitals
Dentistry Electives
Ghana: general hospital
Dentistry Electives with Sri Lanka Army
1 -8 pax│2nd year+│2 wks from $740 │
5-7/24│5/7│1-12 weeks
Locations: Colombo│Anuradhapura
Elective Details
We are proud to partner with the Sri Lanka Army Dental Corps to offer a globally unique dentistry elective opportunity for students from around the world.
The army hospitals are well-equipped, efficiently managed, and provide comprehensive support across all dental disciplines. The Colombo Army Hospital features 20 dental chairs, accommodates 200 outpatients daily, and houses an in-patient Oral and Maxillofacial (OMF) ward. The Anuradhapura Army Hospital, renowned for its frontline dental services during and after the civil war, has five chairs, treats 80 patients per day, and offers the close-knit environment of a ‘cottage hospital.’
Each hospital offres access to the major dentistry disciplines, and in-house technicians make implants, and crowns.
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During your elective, you will:
✔ Shadow experienced dentists and gain hands-on experience with practical procedures (based on your competency level).
✔ Observe skilled technicians in action.
✔ Visit a local government hospital for a comparative learning experience.
✔ Participate in OMF surgeries and gain valuable surgical exposure.
✔ Engage in discussions with university lecturers, consultants, and dental professionals on dentistry in Sri Lanka.
We tailor the elective to align with both your university’s requirements and your personal learning objectives, ensuring a meaningful and enriching experience.
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The Sri Lanka Army provides free dental care to 1.2 million Sri Lankans, including serving and retired soldiers and their families. This setting offers exposure to a broad spectrum of dental health cases, enhancing your clinical experience.
Limited availability: Only 8 students are accepted per intake. Early booking is recommended to secure your place.
Beyond the elective, Sri Lanka boasts an incredible range of tourism opportunities, catering to all budgets. We are happy to assist with travel recommendations to help you make the most of your time in this diverse and beautiful country.
Dental Electives in Ghana
1 -12 pax│2nd year+│2 wks from $700 │
5-8/24│5/7│1-12 weeks
Locations: Accra
Elective Details
Our partner health organistaion in Ghana is led by a medical professional and public health official. This enables placements in multiple settings, as well as coordinated outreach and education programs in rural communities. Your dental elective takes place in a well-established general hospital near the accommodation in West Accra, and from time to time on outreaches.
As a dental elective student you’ll be able to provide much-needed dental care to the local population. Students are always warmly welcomed, and your contributions will directly support a low-income, low-resourced healthcare setting.
This immersive experience gives invaluable insight into global health challenges as you work alongside dedicated local professionals who greatly appreciate your support.
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Your elective will be based in a busy general hospital in west Accra, where there is opportunity for:
✔ Clinical Exposure & Patient Care – Assist in diagnosing, treating, and managing dental conditions, as well as performing routine procedures under supervision.
✔ Observation & Skill Development – Observe and assist with complex procedures as permitted within the hospital setting.
✔ Patient Education & Preventive Care – Educate patients on oral hygiene, dental disease prevention, and the importance of regular check-ups.
✔ Community Outreach & Public Health Initiatives – Participate in school visits, outreach programs in remote villages, and underserved urban communities to promote oral health awareness, conduct free dental check-ups, and provide preventive treatments.
✔ Research & Data Collection – Some students may have the opportunity to contribute to research projects focused on oral health trends in Ghana, such as:
The impact of diet on dental health
The prevalence of specific dental diseases
The effectiveness of oral health campaigns
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Ghana offers a wealth of cultural and travel experiences, and our partners are happy to advise and support you in making the most of your stay.
Accommodation is provided at the NGO-run hostel, exclusively for volunteers and elective students. You will have:
24/7 support for a safe and comfortable stay
Half-board meals (5/7) & B&B 2/7, allowing time to explore local cuisine and attractions
This elective offers a unique and rewarding experience, combining professional development with the opportunity to make a meaningful impact in Ghanaian communities.
Dentistry Electives in Kenya
1 -8 pax│2nd year+│2 wks from $900 │
5-7/24│5/7│2-12 weeks
Locations: various
With a diverse range of locations across Kenya, our dentistry electives offer unique opportunities in settings such as teaching hospitals, private clinics, Nairobi’s urban centers, the lush forests of the west, and the culturally rich Maasai tribal lands in the south.
We ask you what you would like to do in Kenya, and where, and our partner NGO manages that to meet your requirement
Each elective is tailored to provide an enriching and personalized experience.
Pricing remains consistent across all locations.
The six steps to joining our dental electives abroad
Step 2
Complete our application form.
Pay your deposit to confirm your place
Step 3
Get your university’s placement approval
Step 4
Passport copy
Police clearance: Dental students in England, Wales (& NI?) will have a DBS. Those in Scotland will have a PVG.
Professional Indemnity insurance (free with the DDU for UK students)
Recommendation letter from your university (confirming course, and practical experience)
Six weeks before arrival, your university’s record of your practicals, for placement staff to recognise your experience
Step 5
Pay the balance 12 weeks before arrival.
We (GAFV, our partners, the hospital, & you) draft an outline elective plan.
Amended as necessary on arrival, and after Week 1
Step 6
six weeks before your arrival, we provide the necessary visa application documentation
Required Documentation
DBS (Disclosure and Barring Service Check):
We understand that some licensed health practitioners joining us from other providers, especially those with previous challenges, may wonder why we request a DBS check when others have not.
As a UK-based organisation, founded and run by professionals from education, medical, and development fields, we kindly ask everyone joining our projects to provide a police clearance. This helps us maintain our commitment to safety and professionalism.
Additionally, some visa types may require it, and health managers in the hospitals we collaborate with occasionally request it as well.
Insurances:
Having the right insurance is important to ensure a smooth and secure experience.
For your convenience, we’ve provided links to insurers that previous dental students have used. Please note that these links are purely for informational purposes—we are not affiliated with these providers and do not receive any commission. We simply aim to make your process easier by sharing options others have found helpful.
Recommendation Letter from Your University:
A recommendation letter from your university is an essential part of your application, as it confirms your eligibility for an elective with us. This helps us ensure that you’re on the right track for a fulfilling experience.
Record of Practicals:
We know that gaining hands-on experience is an important part of your journey. Hospitals and healthcare professionals reviewing your application value practical experience, as it gives them confidence in your abilities and helps them determine the appropriate opportunities for you.
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Benefits of Dentistry Electives Abroad
As dental elective students, you will work alongside local dental students, dentists, and in Sri Lanka, dental technicians, and trainee consultant dentists. This will engage you in an interesting process of cross-cultural exchange, and learning. This collaboration enhances your understanding of healthcare challenges and the management of oral health in developing countries.
Our elective dental students also benefit from direct mentorship by local practitioners, and gain invaluable hands-on experience in low income countries, more often than not with low levels of resourcing, and low staff to patient ratios. (The SL Army placement, in contrast is well resourced and staffed). This experience can enhance not only your cultural competence, but also your ability to be adaptive in your treatments.
Whichever country you are in, our dental elective students broaden their clinical expertise, and contribute to the improvement of dental care delivery in the country, and the encouragement of local health professionals.