Dental Internships in Arusha
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 their knowledge in different aspects of dental work.
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
Type of host organizations:
- Medical facilities
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 their 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.
Career Benefits
Dentistry interns learn from a qualified and experienced supervisor, and can be involved in:
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Observing and assisting with dental treatments
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Promoting dental hygiene
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Providing clerical assistance
Professional development opportunities:
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Gain understanding of dental treatments for a range of simple and complex issues, including those that might be rare in your home country
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Learn about the provision of dental health in under-resourced communities in Tanzania
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Understand dentist-patient relationship building and how treatments are run
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Gain practical skills and boost your employability, with guidance from Intern Abroad HQ’s Experiential Learning Curriculum to support your learning and cultural intelligence.
Tanzania photo gallery
Program 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
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,304Equivalent to $93/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,569Equivalent to $56/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,779Equivalent to $42/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,044Equivalent to $36/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,254Equivalent to $32/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,464Equivalent to $29/day |
| 14 weeks | $2,984Equivalent to $30/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,264Equivalent to $29/day |
| 18 weeks | $3,544Equivalent to $28/day |
| 20 weeks | $3,824Equivalent to $27/day |
| 24 weeks | $4,384Equivalent to $26/day |
Medical internships
Duration |
Program Fee (USD) |
|---|---|
| 2 weeks | $1,404Equivalent to $100/day |
| 4 weeks | $1,669Equivalent to $59/day |
| 6 weeks | $1,879Equivalent to $44/day |
| 8 weeks | $2,144Equivalent to $38/day |
| 10 weeks | $2,354Equivalent to $33/day |
| 12 weeks | $2,564Equivalent to $30/day |
| 14 weeks | $2,884Equivalent to $29/day |
| 16 weeks | $3,164Equivalent to $28/day |
| 18 weeks | $3,444Equivalent to $27/day |
| 20 weeks | $3,724Equivalent to $26/day |
| 24 weeks | $4,284Equivalent to $25/day |
- Accommodation
- Meals
- 24/7 in-country support
- Airport pick-up
- Program orientation
- Dedicated support before, during, and after your internship
- In-country guidance for social and tourist activities
- Sourcing and securing your internship placement
- Personalization of your internship plan
- Coaching from your supervisor
- Documented portfolio of your experiential learnings
- Academic credit facilitation
- International reference letter
- Certificate of Internship Completion
- Visa (if required), flights, travel insurance (mandatory), vaccinations, criminal background check
- Transfer back to the airport at the end of your internship program
- Optional extras, such as language lessons
- Souvenirs and leisure activities during your free time
- Personal spending money to cover basic expenses such as drinks, snacks, laundry, public transportation, and any meals not included in your Program Fee
- A deposit of $449 USD is required to secure your internship
- 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.
- Balance of your Program Fee is due 60 days before your internship start date.
- All payments attract a 5% transaction fee to cover international banking fees and currency charges.
- Terms and Conditions apply.
Arrival and Orientation
Internships in Tanzania begin every Monday. Exceptions may be made to this when start dates are shifted to avoid public holiday disruptions or closed when the program has already reached capacity. The minimum duration requirement is 2 weeks up to a maximum duration of 24 weeks.
Airport pick up and accommodation are included in the Program Fee. The accommodation is covered from the Sunday night before the Monday start date - interns are required to arrive no later than the Sunday before their Monday start date, as all orientations are held on Mondays. If arriving earlier than this date, interns will be required to cover the cost of an out of hours airport pick up.
Typical ports of entry include the local Arusha Airport (ARK) or the Kilimanjaro International Airport (JRO). If you are planning to spend time independently in Tanzania prior to your internship and will not require an airport pick up, we can discuss alternative arrival logistics with you.
Upon arrival, interns will be met, greeted, and transferred to the accommodation. The last night of the accommodation is the Friday night of the final week, leaving interns free to depart on Saturday. Extra nights of accommodation can be arranged in advance, if requested, and are subject to availability.
Orientation covers important details for your internship, including introductions, information about culture, customs, rules, expectations, safety, language lessons, cultural excursions, and more. Your specific internship placement orientation will follow the general orientation, as you’ll be shown how to travel to and from your internship and be introduced to the team you’ll be joining.
Please note that all participants are advised not to book flights until they have first registered to confirm their internship placement.
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Accommodation and WiFi
Interns in Arusha are accommodated together on one of the city’s most top-rated guest houses, located in a quiet and friendly neighbourhood (just 15 minutes from town center). Living is safe, clean, modern and comfortable, including 24/7 gated security, housekeeping, and a live-in local coordinator. (Laundry services are not included but can be arranged directly for a small fee). Amenities include hot showers, WiFi, and satellite television (in common areas). Interns can expect to share a bedroom with 1- 5 other guests, of the same gender. Bathroom facilities are shared. Private/en-suite room upgrades are subject to availability and must be arranged directly with the local team, once registered.
Meals
Interns in Arusha include breakfast and dinner, prepared and served Monday to Friday at the guest house accommodation. Typical dishes in Tanzania are influenced by seasonal produce and the dinner menu is usually set according to a weekly rotating schedule. For example, dinner meals may cover Wali Rosti (rice and meat stew), spaghetti bolognese, Wali Umboga (rice and vegetables), pilau, and chapati maharage (a thin wholemeal pancake cooked on a griddle, with beans). Dinner dishes are accompanied with salad. Breakfasts consist of fresh seasonal fruit, fried eggs, and bread with spreads (plus tea and coffee). A filtered cold water dispenser is available in the common area for use to reduce the amount of plastic bottle use. Bottled water is readily available in Tanzania and volunteers should budget approximately US$5 per week for this (2 liters per day). Please be sure to let us know of any specific dietary requirements that you have in advance (i.e. allergies and intolerances), so that we may ensure your hosts are aware and make recommendations to you accordingly. However, it is important to note that the provided meals will not reflect what you are used to eating at home and flexibility is required. Interns are encouraged to budget extra spending money for any special snacks/treats.
Activities and tourism
There is an array of activities to enjoy during your stay in Arusha, as well as touristic excursions to attractions within Tanzania. Located on the “safari circuit”, the internship program is based near to some of Africa’s most beautiful environments, including Serengeti, Mount Kilimanjaro, the Ngorongoro Conservation Area, and Arusha National Park on Mount Meru. Whether you’re content with local entertainment, such as Maasai markets, cafes, music, nightlife, and cinema, or you’re planning to book in big ticket items such as overnight safari camps and mountain trekking adventures, our local team will assist you with itinerary advice and planning.
Day trips
Day trips are popular among interns and perfect for taking advantage of the weekends during your internship. Depending on the excursion, the rates can range from US$60 up to US$450, including round trip transportation and lunch. (The more expensive day trip rates cover transportation to destinations that are further afield, such as Serengeti and Ngorongoro. Note that the day trip cost will typically exclude additional gate entry fees, which may be subject to change). While you’re planning your internship in Tanzania, don’t miss:
- Arusha National Park: Near Mt Meru, the park offers easy game drives and scenic walking tours, where you can discover beautiful streams, waterfalls and rivers.
- Tarangire: This destination offers the chance to spot the Big Five. Keep an eye out for herds of elephants, lion prides, giraffes and many more animals within their natural habitat.
- Lake Manyara: This lush oasis was once described by Ernest Hemingway as “the loveliest in Africa”. Relax on a peaceful game drive and enjoy the vista of buffalo, flamingo, lions, impala and more.
- Serengeti: One of the Seven Natural Wonders of the World, the famous Serengeti ecosystem extends right up to Kenya.
- Ngorongoro Conservation Area: Located in northern Tanzania, the region is home to the Big Five and boasts the vast, volcanic Ngorongoro Crater - a breathtaking natural wonder.
- Metaruni Waterfalls Hike: Go trekking to the waterfalls through the foothills overshadowed by Mt Kilimanjaro. Enjoy lunch in the town of Moshi.
- Hot Springs: It’s a longer drive to visit the natural hot springs in Moshi, but worth the trip! Soak in the warm waters against the backdrop of Mount Kilimanjaro.
- Maasai Culture Tour: Visit a Maasai homestead for a friendly guided experience and meet members from the impressive nomadic tribe, who retain their unique cultural identity.
- Snake Park: Check out a variety of snake breeds, from small grass snakes to cobras. The park is also home to other species of birds and amphibians and features a Maasai market.
Overnight safari tours and trekking
If you want to plan a Tanzanian adventure before or after your internship, we can assist you to arrange overnight camping safaris of the Northern Circuit (Tarangire, Serengeti and Ngorongoro), as well as a Mount Kilimanjaro trekking package (all inclusive six day climb). Extended safari tours are popular and two all-inclusive options offer either camping or lodge accommodation. Pricing details can be provided to interns once they have registered.
Essential country information
| Capital | Dodoma |
| Population | 47.78 million |
| Languages | Swahili and English |
| Currency | Tanzanian Shilling (TZS) |
| Time zone | UTC+03:00 |
Weather and climate:
In Arusha, where the Tanzania internship programs are based, the warm season typically lasts from January till late March. During this period, the average daily high is around 81°F / 27°C. The cooler season is from mid May till late August and the coldest month of the year is usually in July, when the low reaches around 56°F / 13°C. The dry season is considered to run from late May through till mid November. Rainfall can occur during the rest of the year, December through April.
