ADA/Health Volunteers Overseas Dentistry Programs

Cambodia

Volunteers provide support, in conjunction with the Cambodian Dental Association, to the faculty, graduates and students. Areas of training include restorative dentistry, endodontics, prosthetics, orthodontics and implants, as well as other areas of dentistry. Volunteers deliver lectures and clinical demonstrations, in addition to providing practical dental student education in the dental school clinics. Assignments are two to four weeks.
Honduras

This program provides assistance with didactic and clinical training for dental students. Volunteers will give lectures, demonstrate clinical procedures and techniques in general dentistry. Specialists may also provide training during specific clinical blocks. Assignments are on to two weeks long. Housing is available at local hotels.
Laos

Volunteers will provide clinical training to the dental students and faculty at the university as well as local dentists in Vientiane. Training will focus on basic clinical topics as well as infection control. Assignments are one to two weeks long. Housing is available at local hotels.
Nicaragua

Volunteers with an academic background or extensive clinical experience are recruited to provide support to the faculty by providing clinical training on the undergraduate level through clinical supervision, demonstration and practical course presentation. Continuing education in clinical dentistry for the practicing dentists is also a component. At least two courses a year will be presented, suggested topics include; porcelain veneers and inlays, new materials in cosmetic dentistry, removable/total dentures, and occlusion (widely defined). Assignments are one week.
St. Lucia

This program emphasizes the provision of basic dental care. Volunteers perform mainly exodontia. The three chair dental clinic is open weekdays and stays open until all patients have been seen. After closing, emergency care is provided. Volunteers must hold a current license. Assignments are two to four weeks.
Tanzania

Volunteers will provide chair-side instruction and lectures to the Faculty at Muhimbili Univiersity and assist them with revising the current curriculum. Areas of focus are oral surgery, orthodontics, preventative and restorative dentistry. Opportunities are also available to provide continuing education at the annual meeting of the Tanzania Dental Association. Minimum length of assignment is two weeks. Housing is available at local hotels.
Tanzania—Mtabila & Nyaragusu Refugee Camps

This program focuses on the training of local health personnel and the provision of treatment to refugees in two camps in Western Tanzania. A curriculum for training clinical officers in dental treatment, which is approved by the Tanzanian Ministry of Health, will guide the training. Volunteers to the program must have previous volunteer experience in Africa – both in the field of exodontia in difficult settings and in training workers in clinical skills. Minimum length of assignment is two weeks. Volunteers will stay at the Tanzania Red Cross Society compound in Kigoma.
Vietnam

A 3-year Masters Program in Orthodontics is currently being taught in conjunction with two dental centers in Ho Chi Minh City. Volunteers will provide mentoring and other support while senior dentists move towards independence and sustainability in orthodontic treatment. Prepared lectures are expected of all volunteers, with a heavier emphasis on diagnosis and treatment planning as well as case review. Assignments are a minimum of two weeks.

Volunteers must be members of the American Dental Association or the Canadian Dental Association.

For more information on these programs, visit our website at www.hvousa.org or contact:

Barbara Edwards, Project Associate
202-296-0928 x13
b.edwards@hvousa.org