UK Dentistry Guide

DENTISTRY
GUIDE
TAILOR-MADE
HEALTHCARE
ELECTIVES &
PLACEMENTS
IN AFRICA,
ASIA & LATIN
AMERICA

THE WORLD.
YOUR WAY.
WHO WE ARE
WHY WORK THE WORLD?
Simply put, we’re your go-to elective experts.
With over a decade of experience we’ve
mastered the art of tailoring healthcare
experiences across the developing world.
Every experience is unique - we’ll work
with you to craft an exciting cultural and
educational placement that meets your every
need. Better still, we’ll be there to support
you throughout.
EXPERIENCE
This is a once in a lifetime opportunity,
so getting it right is key. With over 10
years’ experience and 10,000 placements
organised to date, we will ensure your
placement goes smoothly.
COLLABORATIVE RELATIONSHIPS
INDEX
Who We Are 3
Nepal - Kathmandu 15
THE EXPERIENCE
A placement with us presents the
rare opportunity to develop yourself
professionally while seeing the world.
We run programmes - all with private
accommodation - in Mexico, Peru, Nepal,
Sri Lanka, Ghana, Zambia and Tanzania. All
our destinations offer unique experiences
that, as you can probably imagine, will stay
with you forever.
From a clinical perspective, you’ll gain
experience that those who chose to stay
at home could not. You’ll help diagnose
advanced conditions, learn innovative new
practices, and come to understand the
many challenges faced by low-resource
clinical institutions.
On the ground in all our destinations,
long-standing partnerships with hospitals
and clinics have allowed us to develop
structured, supervised placements in
safe healthcare settings.
TAILORING AND PREPARATION
Our hospital partnerships also allow us
incredible flexibility when tailoring your
placement to meet your individual needs.
What’s more, our in-country teams work
directly with senior hospital staff to ensure
everything is in place for your arrival.
Now is your chance to enjoy an exceptional
clinical placement that meets all your
objectives, while immersing yourself in lifechanging
cultural experiences in one or more
of our beautiful destinations (see page 10).
Services We Provide 4/5
Sri Lanka - Kandy 16
Online Elective Planner 6
Ghana - Takoradi 17
Supervision, Safety & Standards 7
Zambia - Lusaka 18
Our Houses 8
Tanzania - Dar es Salaam 19
Dentistry Overview 9
Student Stories 20/21
Destination Overview 10/11
Village Healthcare Experiences 22
Mexico - Merida 12
Additional Information 23
Peru - Arequipa 13
Contact The Experts 24
Nepal - Pokhara 14
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SERVICES
WE PROVIDE
Our service is end-to-end – we support you
from the moment you get in touch right the
way through your placement.
BEFORE YOU GO
First you’ll chat with one of our Elective
Consultants who have extensive knowledge
of all our programmes – both inside the
hospital and out. Once you’ve secured a
place, you’ll get exclusive access to MyTrip
- your personalised online elective planner
(see page 6).
Next we’ll explore your clinical interests to
tailor your placement from the ground up.
Our overseas teams will then liaise with
hospital departments to start bringing your
customised placement to life.
ON THE GROUND
When you land in-country, the team will meet
you from the airport and take you back to
your private, catered accommodation. You’ll
meet your housemates and have a welcome
briefing which will cover all the essentials;
such as our staff team, your placement, the
local area, popular weekend trips you might
want to take, and so on.
Over the next couple of days, we’ll show
you around the city to help you get your
bearings. You’ll find out about bars
and restaurants, supermarkets, and
other amenities, as well as some of the
area’s attractions.
You’ll also have language lessons in the
house, catered breakfast and dinner, BBQ
nights, and 24/7 support from the team.
YOUR PLACEMENT
At the beginning of the week we’ll take you
to your hospital making sure you know how
to get there independently. You’ll meet
your supervisors, and get a tour of the
hospital too.
Throughout the placement we’ll keep up to
date with your progress by talking to both
you and your hospital supervisors to ensure
you are achieving your clinical objectives.
If you’re considering a Work the World placement, my advice would be
‘definitely go!’ It’s the chance of a lifetime, and will open your mind to
different cultures and experiences.”
HARISAH MUKHTAR
University of Leeds
4 www.worktheworld.co.uk
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ONLINE
ELECTIVE PLANNER
SUPERVISION.
SAFETY. STANDARDS.
MyTrip, was extremely informative and
broke everything down into an easy
step-by-step guide, providing a lot
more information surrounding not only
the placement but the country as well.”
NICOLA LOOBY
Chester University
MyTrip is your personalised online elective
hub. To support the frequent contact you’ll
have with us, the planner has everything
you could possibly need. It’s full of useful
information and will help guide you,
step by step, through our thorough
preparation process.
INFORMATION PACK
We’ve poured a lot of our expertise into
a digestible information pack. It covers
everything you need to know before your trip
- detailed packing lists, visa requirements,
what you can expect on arrival in your
chosen destination, and beyond. You’ll also
find advice on local customs and etiquette
in the hospital, and even downloadable
language guides with accompanying videos.
SUPPORTING DOCUMENTS
With MyTrip you can instantly access
information that your university might ask
you for, like a summary of your placement,
hospital allocation letters, and more.
YOUR ITINERARY
You can browse the full details of your
itinerary on an interactive visual timeline
within MyTrip. You’ll find detailed
descriptions of your hospital, working hours,
supervisor details, information and photos
of your accommodation, a map of the local
area, and even who your housemates will be.
SUPERVISION
We only work with institutions we have
scrutinised, and who can guarantee high
levels of supervision. We work closely with
our partner hospitals to create structured
placements based around you.
Our in-country teams will meet with
hospital staff to discuss your placement
specifications, ensuring everything is ready
for your arrival.
You’ll find your key supervisors
provide outstanding guidance, and you’ll
be encouraged to share your existing
skills, making this a reciprocal
educational experience.
SAFETY
Along with delivering an unforgettable
placement, your safety while overseas is our
primary focus.
Firstly, we only run programmes in stable
and secure destinations, highly suited to
elective placements. To stay up to date, we
communicate directly with travel advisory
services around the world.
Our in-country teams are on hand 24/7
to support and guide you throughout your
experience. No matter how small the
issue, our staff are available on the phone
or in person at all times when you’re on
the programme.
We carry out regular, rigorous safety checks
in every Work the World house. The checks
include everything from routine fire safety
inspections to detailed risk assessments.
Our track record and continued commitment
to taking safety seriously offer real
reassurance both to you and to friends and
family back home.
STANDARDS
We work with hundreds of universities
around the world and have many contractual
agreements in place. We’re happy to
provide audit information, assist with
risk assessments, and provide placement
confirmation letters.
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OUR HOUSES
UNIQUE
DENTISTRY EXPERIENCES
The whole experience was made
better by the sociable and amazing
atmosphere in the Work the World
house. It is fair to say I made friends
for life when I was out there!”
MARIA FINN
University of Brighton
An experience like this changes you.
It changes the way you see yourself, it
changes the way you see healthcare”
MAISY PROVEN
Cardiff University
Our accommodation is well known among
everyone who has travelled with us. The
private houses we have in our destinations
are spacious, secure, and social. We
cater to a range of disciplines, so expect
to get to know international students and
professionals from across the
healthcare spectrum.
Every house has a dedicated team behind
it. Your Programme Manager runs the show,
and working with them are the Assistant
Programme Manager, an onsite Caterer, and
a Housekeeper. Many of our experienced
local staff have worked with us for years, so
you know you’re in the most capable hands.
Our local staff have an enormously positive
impact on the atmosphere in our houses.
Their welcoming nature and extensive
experience play a huge part in making you
feel right at home from day one.
Experiencing local cuisine is always a travel
highlight, but sometimes you just want some
familiar comforts. Your Caterer will cook
both local specialities and more recognisable
favourites to make sure you get the best
of both worlds. If you have any dietary
requirements, we’ll cater to them. And the
kitchen is always open for snacks and fresh
drinking water.
Your house will be a hub of activity, and act
as your home away from home.
Studying and practicing dentistry in
the developing world is an educational
experience no dentist, whether studying or
qualified, should go without.
Our partner hospitals and clinics are
typically low-resource and short staffed
with high patient loads. Learning to
diagnose and treat conditions without the
modern equipment you’re used to will be
eye-opening.
Oral and dental health are not priorities
for many people in the destinations we
work with. On an overseas dentistry
placement, you can expect to see severe
cases of tooth decay and gingivitis, and
work in departments like Maxillofacial and
Oral Surgery. Healthcare costs can be
unaffordable, distances to clinics great, and
oral health education lacking. As a result,
patients regularly present with conditions
that have advanced to critical stages.
Witnessing and treating these will teach you
skills you’ll struggle to pick up elsewhere,
and enhance your understanding of how
conditions progress.
Our long-standing partnerships with
hospitals around the world let us tailor
dentistry placements to your clinical
interests and goals. We work with a wide
range of busy departments which will allow
you to choose to specialise in a number
of areas, working with things like scaling,
fillings, and root canal treatments. Specialist
placements in oral cancer, Maxillofacial and
Surgery are also available.
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DESTINATION
OVERVIEW
Working overseas gives you the unique opportunity to experience life in another country.
Our Work the World bases in Mexico, Peru, Nepal, Sri Lanka, Ghana, Zambia and Tanzania
provide a huge variety of flexible placement opportunities, as well as giving you access to
some of the world’s richest cultures.
These destinations truly are unique and diverse. Whether you want to trek through
stunning rainforests, spot amazing wildlife, soak up the sun on beautiful beaches, or find
your spiritual calling in magnificent temples, there is something for everyone.
Before your trip - and of course when you arrive - we’ll give you loads of handy travel hints
and tips. From how much a ‘tuk-tuk’ ride will cost, to haggling at local markets or dancing
your way through some of the world’s most colourful festivals, we’ll make sure you’re
ready for anything. One thing you can be sure of; wherever you chose, adventure awaits!
Peruse through our destinations online at worktheworld.co.uk/destinations
I definitely broadened my
horizons and had the trip
of a lifetime doing so!”
ABBIGAIL HOWSON
University of Leeds
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MEXICO
MERIDA
WORKTHEWORLD.CO.UK/MERIDA
PERU
AREQUIPA
WORKTHEWORLD.CO.UK/AREQUIPA
• Party at the city’s regular
festivals like the famous
‘Day of the Dead’
• Head to Cancun and
Progreso for beaches,
blue skies and bustling
nightlife
• Visit Chichen Itza’s aweinspiring
ancient Mayan
ruins
• Dive in the beautiful
underground water-filled
‘cenotes’ caves
• Visit Celestun — a
stunning nature reserve
populated by flamingos
Living in Merida
Merida is Mexico’s sophisticated cultural hub. You’ll find lush
green plazas, and colonial architecture housing trendy bars
and restaurants across the city. There are tropical beaches,
ancient Incan and Mayan ruins, and flamingo-filled nature
reserves nearby.
Intensive Spanish Course
Our Intensive Spanish Course has been crafted with
healthcare students in mind, and focuses on clinical words
and phrases specific to your department. See page 22 for
more details.
Clinical Experience
60 percent of people in Mexico show signs of periodontal
disease, which reflects the fact that many people have
limited access to both information and preventative
treatments as standard. Treatments like fillings and
restorations are undertaken here, however, many patients
present late meaning some cases are likely to be more severe
than you’ll be used to.
• Immerse yourself in
local culture at one of
Arequipa’s vibrant festivals
• Trek through the untamed
Amazon rainforest in
search of exotic wildlife
• Hike to the summit of a
nearby dormant volcano
for panoramic views which
stretch beyond the city
• Enjoy the thrill of
white-water rafting
• Explore one of the
world’s most iconic
archaeological sites
– Machu Picchu
Living in Arequipa
Our programme is based in the beautiful city of Arequipa,
where colonial architecture meets buildings hewn from local
volcanic rock. Here you can peer into the planet’s second
deepest canyon to observe endangered condors in flight, survey
the floating villages on Lake Titicaca, and make the 3-day climb
to the summit of Mt. Misti for awe-inspiring views.
Intensive Spanish Course
Our Intensive Spanish Course has been crafted with
healthcare students in mind, and focuses on clinical words
and phrases specific to your department. See page 22 for
more details.
Clinical Experience
In Arequipa, the departments you’ll work in welcome
patients who need treatments like fillings, oral surgeries
and beyond. Other common problems you’ll encounter
will include cavities, misaligned teeth, and severe decay.
Although the rise of pre-emptive care procedures can now
be seen almost universally.
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NEPAL
POKHARA
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NEPAL
KATHMANDU
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• Amble along the winding
lanes of the ancient city
• Breathe deeply and enjoy
hilltop yoga at sunrise
• Go trekking in the foothills
of the Himalayas
• Paddle across the still
waters of Phewa Lake
• Visit bustling street
markets and immerse
yourself in community life
Living in Pokhara
Pokhara is situated in a valley created by the rising of
the snow-capped Himalayan Mountains. Try hilltop yoga
at sunrise, or row across the still waters of Phewa Lake.
Hiking to the Shanti Stupa that offers a panoramic view of
the surrounding areas is not to be missed. If you’d prefer
to up the ante, head to the mountains where you can go
paragliding, white water rafting, and trekking.
Village Healthcare Experience
Broaden your experience by living in a remote village in the
Himalayas. Each morning you’ll make the short journey to
the local health post with afternoons free to enjoy cultural
activities. See page 22 for more details.
• Discover ancient Buddhist
and Hindu temples
• Party in the bars
and clubs in the
Thamel district
• Paraglide through snowy
mountain peaks
• Hike through the
majestic Himalayas
• Take a leap off the world’s
tallest bungee jump
Living in Kathmandu
Kathmandu is the wellspring of Nepal’s history and culture.
Explore sacred Buddhist temples and bustling markets - but
keep an eye out for the mischievous monkeys! The world’s
highest bungee jump, elephant safaris and white water
rafting are just a few of the many adventures you’ll have the
chance to undertake.
Village Healthcare Experience
Take some time at the end of your city based placement
to learn the ways of rural life whilst living in the foothills
of the Himalayan Mountains. See page 22 for more details.
Clinical Experience
Clinical Experience
The Dentistry Department in our partner hospital in Pokhara
receives an average of 40 patients per day in their OPD.
You could observe and in some cases assist with a range
of procedures like fillings, root canals, scaling, RCT, fitting
braces, and cleft lip and palate surgeries.
Dentistry is one of our partner hospital’s specialties.
Here, you could observe things like abscess surgeries,
restorations, and pulpectomies. Prove competence and you
could assist with some procedures. Your supervisors will
share the challenges they face on a daily basis, educating
you on how they’ve adapted to deal with them.
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SRI LANKA
KANDY
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GHANA
TAKORADI
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• Take a safari through
the untamed jungle to
spot leopards, jaguars
and more
• Explore the town’s
bars, restaurants and
traditional street food
• Visit lush tea plantations
to get a sense of rural life
• Visit an ancient temple
said to hold the tooth
of Buddha
• Unwind on paradise
beaches at the weekend
Living in Kandy
Our central base in Kandy is only a short distance from the
centre of the main city and enjoys stunning views overlooking
Kandy Lake and the surrounding hills, whilst also close to a
number of bars, restaurants, and markets. If you’re keen to
explore you’ll find adventures aplenty. Go on safari to spot
wildlife, roam through expansive tea plantations or visit Sigiriya,
referred to by locals as the Eighth Wonder of the World.
Ayurvedic Healthcare Week
Many Sri Lankan’s combine modern healthcare with
traditional treatments, such as Ayurvedic medicine. Take our
week-long Ayurvedic experience and you’ll live in a small rural
village. See page 22 for more details.
Clinical Experience
Working in a large teaching hospital, you could gain
experience in orthodontics, outpatients, a maxillofacial clinic,
and beyond. Dental treatment is free in Sri Lanka, but poor
infrastructure and travelling costs often prevent people from
presenting until their cases are severely advanced.
• Swim in the clear
waterfall oases of the
Volta region
• Trek through the forest
canopy in Kakum Park to
sleep in a tree house
• Soak up the sun on the
picturesque Axim beach
• Explore the decaying
slave forts found along
the coast
• Go on safari to see
Africa’s famous wildlife
in Mole National Park
Living in Takoradi
Located on the coast, Takoradi is an energetic hub of
activity where Ghanaian culture can be experienced in
full swing. Explore traditional markets, golden, palmlined
beaches, restaurants and bars, and treat yourself
to cocktails at sunset as you watch the boats sail into
the port. Beyond the city you’ll discover elephant safaris,
magnificent waterfalls, crumbling coastal forts, and more.
Village Healthcare Experience
Take the opportunity to spend a week in a small village
healthcare centre. This is a unique way to glean insight
into Ghanaian culture. See page 22 for more details.
Clinical Experience
Our partner hospital in Takoradi has a busy, but low-resource
Dentistry Department — especially during the emergency
clinic opening hours. You could get involved with things like
preventive health checks, and even try an observational
placement in the ENT Department.
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ZAMBIA
LUSAKA
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TANZANIA
DAR ES SALAAM
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• Tour the Zambian capital
city’s lively handicraft
markets
• Go whitewater rafting
down the Zambezi River
• Get up close with
elephants, hippo, lions,
rhino, and giraffe
• Peer over the edge of the
stunning Victoria Falls
• Visit Siavonga for lakeside
beaches, boat rides and
watersports
Living in Lusaka
Lusaka is a buzzing city surrounded by an expanse of natural
beauty. See lions, elephants, zebra, giraffe and hippos. You
can go canoeing along the Zambezi River or travel down to
the sunny lakeside town of Siavonga, where you can catch
some sun or try adrenaline-fueled watersports. This is your
chance to experience the real Africa.
Village Healthcare Experience
Spending this extra week in a rural village with indigenous
people is an amazing way to broaden your Zambian healthcare
and culture experience. See page 22 for more details.
Clinical Experience
Our partner hospital is the only one in Lusaka where patients
enjoy free or low cost care. All standard procedures are
carried out here like restorations and fillings, however,
as education about oral hygiene is lacking, patients can
often present late. This means you’re more likely to see
severe cases than you are at home. It’s possible to observe
maxillofacial surgery here, too.
• The tropical island of
Zanzibar is only a short
hop across the water
• Spot big game on a
savannah safari
• Hike through beautiful
Mikumi National Park
• Shop for handmade
crafts in the bazaars
and markets
• Discover laid-back bars
and restaurants with
live music
Living in Dar es Salaam
Dar es Salaam, once a quiet fishing village, is now a
teeming metropolis with African, Arabic, German and
Indian influences. During your stay you’ll sample Tanzanian
delicacies, hit the beach for cocktails, and take a short
boat ride across to the paradise island of Zanzibar for
snorkelling and diving.
Village Healthcare Experience
Take the opportunity to spend a week in the stunning
foothills of the Viduna Mountains. This rural African village
sits on the edge of a safari park. See page 22 for more
details.
Clinical Experience
Our placements are based in the largest tertiary referral
and teaching hospital in the country. Here, you could
encounter Oral Surgeries, Oral Pathology and Medicine,
as well as preventative and community dentistry.
Prosthodontics, Periodontology, and Cariology are
practiced here too.
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STUDENT STORIES
We make every effort to provide the best possible experience for
your healthcare placement. Our biggest advocates are previously
travelled students and professionals. In-depth reviews can be
found online and on our social channels!
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BROADEN
YOUR ELECTIVE
ADDITIONAL
INFO
VILLAGE
HEALTHCARE EXPERIENCES
NEPAL, GHANA, ZAMBIA AND TANZANIA
As part of your overseas elective, you have
the option to add-on an extra week where
you’ll experience the indigenous culture
of your destination on a once-in-a-lifetime
Village Healthcare Experience.
We will take you to an outlying village where
you’ll spend the week with a rural community
who will teach you the local way of life, which
means everything from learning to cook local
specialities to milking cows and beekeeping.
In the mornings you’ll undertake a placement
alongside trained professionals in rural health
outposts, where you could see anything from
routine vaccinations to tribal hunting injuries.
Your afternoons will be filled with culture and
adventure with opportunities like hiking to
hidden Buddhist monasteries and joining in
tribal dances.
AYURVEDIC MEDICINE
EXPERIENCE
SRI LANKA
Our bases in Sri Lanka offer something extra
special. If you manage to secure a place you’ll
have the chance trek into the wilderness to
a remote village and learn Ayurveda - the
ancient art of tree medicine.
Living within a rural setting will give you
genuine insight into community traditions and
the local way of life.
In the mornings you’ll undertake a placement
with the healer to treat ailments by creating
medicines from plants and barks found in
the jungle.
Your afternoons here will be busy with cultural
activities like ox and cart rides, swimming in
a local lake at sunset, and enjoying a full body
massage at an Ayurveda spa.
INTENSIVE
SPANISH COURSE
VISAS, FLIGHTS
& INSURANCE
The only things we can’t provide are flights,
insurance and visas. But don’t worry - we’ll
provide you with details about your arrival
airport, as well as information about any
visas you might need, and how to apply
for them.
INDEMNITY INSURANCE
Every student needs indemnity insurance
when working on a clinical placement. Many
students will have free indemnity protection,
either through their university course or by
virtue of membership of a professional body.
We can also recommend providers of travel
and medical insurance - both of which are
essential for any trip.
WHEN CAN YOU GO
Our placements begin on a Sunday and end
on a Saturday. This allows for a day-long
local orientation before your placement
starts. Our houses operate year-round, but
booking early is advised.
Put yourself forward, build
relationships with your
supervisors and you will get
so much more out of your
placement.”
EMILY WARE
University of Greenwich
PERU & MEXICO
Our bespoke Intensive Spanish Course has been
designed specifically to prepare you for your
elective in Peru and Mexico.
You’ll enjoy 30 hours of small group sessions
crafted with healthcare students in mind. The
course also includes two days focusing on
history-taking, and learning vocabulary and
phrases specific to the departments you’ll be
working in.
The Spanish schools we’ve partnered with have
a wealth of experience working with healthcare
professionals, so you know you’re in the most
capable hands before you’ve even arrived.
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START YOUR
EXPERIENCE
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