Clinical Details of Dentistry Work in the Volunteer Program in Arusha, Tanzania

As a volunteer dentist in the community hospital, you will engage in various clinical tasks that are vital for the dental health of the local population. The program allows for hands-on experience in the following areas:

Oral Examinations:

• Conduct thorough oral assessments to identify dental issues such as caries, periodontal disease, malocclusions, and other dental abnormalities.
• Utilize basic diagnostic tools available at the clinic, including visual inspections and simple radiographs where applicable.

1. Preventive Care:

   • Administer fluoride treatments and sealants to children and at-risk patients to prevent cavities.
   • Provide oral health education sessions for patients on proper brushing techniques, dietary choices, and hygiene practices to promote overall dental health.

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3. Restorative Procedures:

   • Assist in restorative dentistry, including the placement of dental fillings (composite and amalgam) for managing carious lesions.
   • Remove damaged or decayed tooth structure and prepare teeth for restoration, all under the supervision of an experienced dentist.

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5. Extractions:

   • Gain experience performing simple extractions of non-restorable teeth and impacted teeth, adhering to sterile techniques and post-operative care protocols.
   • Learn indications for extraction versus restorative treatment and proper patient management pre- and post-extraction.

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7. Minor Surgical Procedures:

   • Participate in minor surgical interventions such as soft tissue biopsies, removal of cysts, and treatment of oral lesions, depending on your skill level and under supervision.
   • Learn proper suturing techniques and post-operative care instructions.

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9. Pediatric Dentistry:

   • Work with pediatric patients, providing treatments for children, including handling anxieties and understanding child-specific dental care.
   • Perform atraumatic restorative treatment (ART) and educate parents about maintaining their children's oral health.

10. Emergency Care:

    • Address dental emergencies such as dental trauma, abscesses, and acute infections by providing appropriate management and treatment.
    • Understand referral processes for more complex cases that require specialized care or surgical interventions.

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12. Collaborative Patient Care:

    • Work collaboratively with a multidisciplinary team, including dental hygienists, dental assistants, and community health workers.
    • Participate in case discussions and learn from local practitioners about the common dental public health issues faced by the community.

13. Community Health Programs:

• In addition to direct patient care, volunteers may assist in organizing community health screening events in schools and local organisations.
• Engage in outreach initiatives to identify underserved populations and improve access to dental resources.

• All clinical work will be conducted under the guidance and supervision of qualified local dentists who will provide mentorship and support throughout your volunteering period.
• Regular clinical meetings will be held to discuss techniques, challenges, and improvements, allowing for an exchange of knowledge and enhancing your learning experience.

• You will be involved in maintaining accurate patient records, documenting treatment plans, and follow-up care protocols.
• Familiarize yourself with electronic health record (EHR) systems where applicable, enabling effective patient management.

Medi Trip Placements

Founded and run by a qualified medical professional, Medi Trip is clinically led, medically focused and patient centred. At Medi Trip we are distinguished in being able to use our healthcare experience and expertise to pick the most suitable settings for our professional volunteers to experience. When you volunteer with Medi Trip, your volunteer placement would have been chosen specifically to suit your area of interest. Each of our placements are carefully assessed and selected for suitability to our professional volunteers, as well as how much contribution goes into the local health and social welfare. 

So what exactly is medical volunteering? 

It takes truly committed people to this abroad! With medical volunteering, you will be volunteering to work with patients or in a healthcare specific area on a voluntary basis. Unlike other types of volunteering, medical volunteering is a difficult, challenging and profound area. Medical volunteers will witness and experience things other volunteers never will or what they never would have at home. This can be a huge challenge as often times volunteers experience situations that can leave them feeling sad, shocked or confused. But for the most part volunteers are often left amazed at the resilience of their patients and at the skill and dedication of their new colleagues. It truly is a hugely moving experience and one most Medi Trippers never forget.

Your Stay

Many Medi Trippers will not have ever visited Africa, much less Tanzania and often don’t really know what to expect. At Medi Trip, we try not to build any particular expectations as every Medi Tripper’s experience and perception is very unique and individual, however none are let down or left anything less than amazed by Tanzania. Tanzanian’s uphold a strong reputation of being incredibly gracious, kind and warm people. You will often find yourself involved in an extended greeting or a long conversation of someone getting to know you or just simply finding out how you are and it is considered very rude not to greet people appropriately. Don’t be shy and enjoy the warm welcomes you will be greeted with walking down the street, socializing or at work! 

Your Placement

Hospitals in Tanzania are unlike those back home. There will be times when you are shocked by the conditions you see people have to endure to receive what we might view as sub par care or basic care. Remember, that the country is developing, with limited funding and very few resources therefore they suffer from a high mortality rate and frequent outbreaks of disease. You will see a lot of suffering where money comes before comfort and you must have the ability to maintain your professionalism and remain strong minded and compassionate.

You will work in the dental department of a local healthcare centre serving the local population. Although it is a government facility, patients pay for dental work and many cannot afford simple  procedures opting for extractions or pain relief. You will receive a handover from a previous Dentist volunteer and gain contact as part of your preparation stage.The learning opportunities are bountiful as long as you stay focused and flexible in your approached.

Your Colleagues

Although most Tanzanian's speak and understand basic English, language may be a barrier when communicating with your medical colleagues and your patients. It is important to remain open and confident while working as at times you may feel isolated and lost. Remember that you will always have your supervisor at hand to assist you and help guide you along the way. Many people find once they get to know their colleagues and get into the flow of things, this isn't much of an issue, however this is another challenge that you will have to be prepared to overcome.

About Arusha

Tanzania belongs to the East African community, neighboured by Kenya, Burundi, Uganda, Rwanda, Democratic Republic of Congo, Malawi and Mozambique. Arusha is in northern Tanzania; a very unique and vibrant city at the base of Mount Meru, about an hour away from the tallest mountain in Africa Mount Kilimanjaro. The city is surrounded by natural beauty being in close proximity to several national parks including Tarangire, Ngorongoro, Serengeti, Lake Manyara, Olduvai and Arusha National Parks.

Interestingly, Arusha hosted the international criminal tribunal for Rwanda and sits as the de facto East African Community capital. Despite being in a conservative and religious country, Arusha is regarded as more liberal and very open to foreigners. Perhaps due to it's historical significance in the 1961 Arusha Declaration, which gave independence to modern Tanzania from the British Commonwealth. The city is very much a melting pot, multicultural and populated by people from all different backgrounds. The main language spoken is Swahili and a visitor would do well by learning a few of the many greetings. 

Where will you stay?

You will stay in Siret Hostel, one of the highest rated and reviewed guesthouses in Arusha. We provide safe, clean and comfortable accommodation, comfortable bedding, excellent breakfast and dinner and housekeeping. This will be a quiet and friendly neighbourhood only 15 minutes from the main hustle and bustle of town. You will have wifi, hot showers, 24 hour gated security, a domestic/cook (who will happily do your laundry for a small fee) and a coordinator who will ensure you settle in quickly and comfortably into your new town. This is a shared home where you will be staying with other volunteers and guests from across the world, so you will never be on your own in your new environment. The house is impeccably clean, well kept, modern and spacious.

How will you get around?

You have the choice of local taxi’s (we have contacts of affordable, trusted drivers) who can drive you around town or you can use the famous ‘dala dala’ mini buses that most Tanzanian’s use to travel locally everyday. Some people adapt very fast and choose to walk around, it is safe to do so however like with any new environment we strongly advise you to be aware of pick pockets and thieves. Always be safe and ask your coordinator before going anywhere new to you.