About the Program

Grab the opportunity to learn from qualified dentists by joining our Dentistry internship in Ghana. You’ll shadow dentists as they move around the hospital completing day-to-day tasks. This is a great way to learn about dentistry in a developing country and add practical work experience to your CV.

You’ll also assist dentists as they provide free basic dental checks to disadvantaged children. When you aren’t helping with dental checks, you’ll talk with the children about the importance of good dental health. You can demonstrate effective teeth brushing and run educational talks on gum disease.

If you are a student looking for dentistry work experience in another country, then our Dentistry internship in Ghana is for you.

You’ll have the opportunity to shadow dentists and work with patients who have a culture different to your own. The skills you’ll learn during this internship are a great addition to any CV. This can put you a step ahead of the rest in future job interviews.

Even if you’re not a dental student but are considering a career in this direction, you are welcome to sign up. The focus of this internship is on learning, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know for outreach work. You’ll also have a supervisor who will be there when you need them. They are here to teach you, guide you and support you throughout your time in Ghana.

This internship is open throughout the year. You can join from two weeks, but we encourage you to stay longer. The longer you stay, the more you’ll learn.

This project is also perfect for university medical and healthcare elective students. The real-world insight and knowledge you gain will help shape you as a future medical professional. You will also learn to work with different people and get a broader perspective of global healthcare systems and issues. This benefits your career for years to come. We can organise a placement that meets all of your university's requirements.

As an intern, you’ll shadow dentists and other medical staff at a local hospital. During your internship, you will:

• Shadow local dentists as they complete their day-to-day tasks in a local hospital
• Assist with patient and equipment preparation as well as providing the patients with support if needed
• Complete basic dental checks alongside a dentist during community outreaches
• Conduct oral hygiene presentations in the community and at schools

Your work will focus on these areas:

1) Shadow and assist local dentists as they complete their day-to-day tasks in a local hospital

To give you a better idea of dental practices in a developing country, you’ll spend your time observing dentists at your dentistry placement in Ghana. You’ll assist with patient and equipment preparation, and provide patients with support if they feel they need it. Use this opportunity to ask the dentist questions about the conditions of different patients and how they are being treated.

2) Complete basic dental checks alongside a qualified dentist during community outreaches

Many locals living in rural areas cannot afford basic healthcare and are unable to travel to the hospitals and clinics. To improve their access to basic healthcare, you’ll assist dentists with free basic dental checks in the community. You’ll assist with examinations and the dentist will advise or refer patients after discussing their cases with you.

3) Conduct oral hygiene presentations in the community and at schools

Education is key to preventing dental issues. You’ll talk to the community and children at local schools about the importance of good oral hygiene. You’ll also create posters and informative materials to distribute in the community and run teeth brushing demonstrations for the children.

Can I use this program as part of a college or university placement? 

It is certainly possible to use one of OGVO’s programs as part of your university or college placement. Project staff can sign off any paperwork required by your course tutors. OGVO regularly receives medical, childcare, psychology and nursing placement students at our projects across Ghana and we have ties with some of the leading universities.

If you’re a course tutor and would like further information about how one of OGVO’s programs could meet the placement requirements for your degree course then please contact us directly.

• Such global working and living experiences help you build up your resume and stand out from the rest. Potential employers admire the tenacity it takes for someone to leave their comfort zone and challenge themselves.
• International volunteer experience indicates valuable personal qualities. It shows that you are a responsible global citizen with a helping heart.
• Knowledge of a second language or a foreign culture can dramatically increase exciting global employment opportunities. It is an excellent way of developing a competitive edge in the global employment market.

• Our programs provide you a good opportunity to cultivate long lasting friendships. These networks will contribute to both your personal life and your professional life.

• Open yourself to a transformative experience as you immerse yourself in a foreign culture first hand. Expand your world-view, and challenge your personal beliefs. Life’s too short to live in a bubble.

• International volunteer/intern programs provide valuable on-the-job learning opportunities.
• Many participants have taken our programs to earn university credits towards their degree, to take a co-op term, or to earn volunteer hours for medical school applications and graduate school application.
• It helps you to enhance your language skills. The most effective way to learn a new language is to speak it in day-to-day life. It is much more rewarding than just learning it in a classroom.

• International volunteer travel is the best way to see the world as it gives you the opportunity to immerse yourself right into the local culture. What is the point of seeing the world in hotels when you can actually be a part of the local society? You will be living and working with the local people and other international volunteers.
• Endless travel opportunities are excellent ways of exploring more places in the country. Whether you like to join a wildlife/scenery tour or a cultural tour, we can provide you flexible work schedule and free travel advice to facilitate travel arrangement.