Internship details
Dental interns in Tanzania gain practical understanding of dentistry by shadowing and assisting local professionals as they provide treatment and promote dental hygiene in small to large healthcare facilities. Interns learn from experienced dentists dealing with a wide range of complaints, building your knowledge in different aspects of dental work.
This is an in-country internship, with accommodation and meals provided.
Since many communities in Tanzania do not have access to dental health services, larger healthcare facilities provide dentistry services and raise awareness about oral hygiene best practices. As a dental intern, you’ll help the professionals in these facilities and learn from experienced local dentists as they go about their day-to-day routines.
Interns shadow and assist a local dentist in their daily tasks. This includes providing treatments for a wide range of complaints and conditions, from basic oral hygiene to more complex orthodontic treatments. You can also help to promote good oral healthcare practices such as regular brushing and flossing. As many people in Tanzania may experience malnutrition or lack basic resources, it is common to see dental complaints in advanced stages.
It is important to understand that the timing of treatments can be irregular. This means that there will be days which are very busy, but also slower days at the clinic when the patient workload is lighter. Interns should be adaptable, proactive and willing to help where it’s needed in these times.
Dental interns are expected to enhance their cultural intelligence by understanding that many healthcare facilities in Tanzania are different to what you may be used to at home. There can be a general lack of adequate medication, as well as under-staffed facilities. Culture shock can be more pronounced and difficult in medical settings, especially when, due to limited funding and resources, patients face conditions that would be considered rare or unacceptable in other parts of the world.
The ability to develop cross-cultural competence is essential in all healthcare professions. Dental interns are encouraged to maintain a high level of professionalism, focus and compassion. You’ll be encouraged to consider your supervisor and in-country coordinator as valuable and knowledgeable resources and mentors. They’re in the best position to provide guidance and local context into the needs and challenges of the local community, and will be happy to support your learning experience throughout this internship abroad.
Outside of your internship, you’ll have the opportunity to discover for yourself why Tanzania is one of Africa’s most popular tourist destinations. The country is well-known for nature and adventure tourism, particularly its incredible safaris and wildlife reserves. People come from all over the world to visit Mount Kilimanjaro, Serengeti National Park, and the golden beaches of Zanzibar. Your in-country internship coordinator will assist you in advance to arrange day trips or longer excursions (such as multi-day safari adventures). If you’re planning your internship in Tanzania, don’t miss the opportunity to schedule an itinerary that incorporates these wonderful, unforgettable attractions.
This internship is conducted in English. Most patients you’ll work with will be able to speak at least basic English, however, for those that can’t, you’ll be able to receive a debrief from your supervisor afterwards.
It is important to note that the internship placements grouped as “Medical” require interns to make a Ministry of Health contribution. This supports the operation of placements and covers supervision for interns on medical-related placements. This contribution is not included in the internship program fee; it must be made directly, in-country, under the direction and guidance of the Program Coordinator in Arusha. Interns will not be permitted to commence their placement until this has been covered. The amount of the Ministry of Health contribution varies, as it is not the same for every clinic/hospital. However, to cover the contribution sufficiently, we ask interns to budget up to US$75 per week.
Dental interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
- Observing and assisting with dental treatments
- Promoting dental hygiene
- Providing clerical assistance
Professional development opportunities:
- Gain understanding of dental treatments for a range of simple and complex issues, including those that might be rare in your home country
- Learn about the provision of dental health in under-resourced communities in Tanzania
- Learn from an experienced local dentist
- Understand dentist-patient relationship building and how treatments are run
- Build your cultural intelligence, as it pertains to healthcare and cross-cultural communication
- Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Typical schedule:
- Monday to Friday, 9am - 5pm
Internship highlights:
- Learn from real life dental treatments and build your knowledge from an experienced local dentist
- Contribute to oral health in Tanzania and help to raise awareness in the community
- Enjoy spare time in Arusha, go on safari in the Serengeti, and explore world famous natural landscapes
Types of host organizations:
- Medical facilities
Keen to get started?
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Submit an applicationProgram fees
It’s free to apply for this internship. Once we have reviewed your suitability and accepted you onto this program, you’ll need to pay a deposit of US$449 to confirm your place. The remaining balance of your Program Fee (less your initial US$449 deposit payment) will be due no less than 60 days before your internship start date.
Non-medical internships
| Internship Duration | Program Fee (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 2 weeks | $1,284 |
| 3 weeks | 3 weeks | $1,389 |
| 4 weeks | 4 weeks | $1,494 |
| 5 weeks | 5 weeks | $1,599 |
| 6 weeks | 6 weeks | $1,704 |
| 7 weeks | 7 weeks | $1,809 |
| 8 weeks | 8 weeks | $1,914 |
| 10 weeks | 10 weeks | $2,124 |
| 12 weeks | 12 weeks | $2,334 |
Medical internships
| Internship Duration | Program Fee (USD) | |
|---|---|---|
| 2 weeks | 2 weeks | $1,384 |
| 3 weeks | 3 weeks | $1,489 |
| 4 weeks | 4 weeks | $1,594 |
| 5 weeks | 5 weeks | $1,699 |
| 6 weeks | 6 weeks | $1,804 |
| 7 weeks | 7 weeks | $1,909 |
| 8 weeks | 8 weeks | $2,014 |
| 10 weeks | 10 weeks | $2,224 |
| 12 weeks | 12 weeks | $2,434 |
It is important to note that the internship placements grouped as "Medical" require interns to make a Ministry of Health contribution. This supports the operation of placements and covers supervision for interns on medical-related placements. This contribution is not included in the internship program fee; it must be made directly, in-country, under the direction and guidance of the Program Coordinator in Arusha. Interns will not be permitted to commence their placement until this has been covered. The amount of the Ministry of Health contribution varies, as it is not the same for every clinic/hospital. However, to cover the contribution sufficiently, we ask interns to budget up to US$75 per week.
- To convert these prices to your local currency visit the XE currency converter.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges. International wire transfer payments attract a minimum fee of US$75.
- Terms and Conditions apply
