Volunteer Dentists needed in Senegal

Volunteer as a dentist in Senegal

This voluntary dentistry project helps treat patients in a hospital and small clinics in St Louis, Senegal.

People from disadvantaged communities in Senegal suffer from a lack of education and awareness of oral health issues. There is also a shortage of staff in hospitals and clinics. Your help is needed to improve this situation.

This project is perfect for anyone considering voluntary work abroad or dentists on a career break.

Here you will find answers to the following questions:

How can volunteer dentists help in Senegal?

What will I gain from this project?

What will Projects Abroad PRO provide?

What skills or qualifications do I need?

How do I apply to join this project?

How can volunteer dentists help in Senegal?

As a volunteer dentist you can use your knowledge and training to help local staff. You can work on tasks such as:

• Working with local staff to treat patients, including:
  • Educating patients on oral health care.
  • Examining teeth and diagnosing patients' dental conditions.
  • Assessing treatment options and agreeing treatment plans with patients.
  • Maintaining patients’ dental records.
• Working with the chief dental surgeon to offer advice and share your knowledge.
• Helping to train local dentistry students.
• Working with street children at a local Talibé centre.

The hospital is open twenty four hours a day, so your day will vary depending on the shifts that you work each week. Your shifts will be decided with the placement supervisor on a weekly basis to take into account your preferences and the times that different activities take place at the hospital.

Whilst the hospital is open seven days a week most volunteers choose to work from Monday to Friday and have the weekends free.

The work you perform at the Talibé clinic will involve more general medical tasks, not specifically focusing on dentistry. However, there may be opportunities for you to provide education on oral health.

It is important to note that you will need to speak French to at least an intermediate level to take part in this project.

This project runs all year round so you can join at any time. You decide how much time you can spare and we will help you get the most out of it.

What will I gain from this project?

Dentistry volunteer work in Senegal

This voluntary work abroad will allow you to gain experience of dental practice in the developing world. You will be able to learn from local staff and also pass on knowledge to them. The work you perform will be in underprivileged areas with a lack of funding and resources. This will force you to think creatively and develop your ability to work under pressure.

You will be able to learn about Senegalese culture through speaking to your colleagues and patients. They will want to hear about your life back home and your family and friends. We call this ‘cultural exchange’ and we think it helps our volunteers gain a new perspective on life.

What will Projects Abroad PRO provide?

We have over 20 years’ experience of running volunteer projects. We provide you with the following support to make sure your time in Senegal is successful and enjoyable:

• Safe accommodation with a Senegalese family.
• Friendly and dedicated local staff available to help 24 hours a day.
• A member of staff to meet you at the airport when you arrive.
• Comprehensive medical and travel insurance.
• Social events with other volunteers such as a weekly quiz night.

What skills or qualifications do I need?

You need to be fully qualified as a dentist and have a relevant licence to practice in your country of residence.

It is important to note that you will need to speak French to at least an intermediate level to take part in this project.

Please contact us if you think your knowledge may be useful on this project but do not have the required qualifications.