“A teacher can never doubt the rewards of having students listen and adopt your teachings. The camaraderie of sharing with teaching colleagues was very rewarding.“
-HVO Oral Health Volunteer
READY TO VOLUNTEER?
There are multiple steps to the placement process and often more than one approval is required. The process varies slightly from country-to-country and project-to-project. We strive to make this process as quick as possible but potential volunteers should be aware that final approval can take several months.
- To begin the placement process, complete the volunteer application and submit your CV.
ACTIVE PROJECTS
Vientiane, Laos – National University of Laos
Volunteers will provide support to the Lao dentists, dental faculty, and dental students in clinical general dentistry through training and education.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Assignment: 1-2 weeks in-person; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Current license to practice (active or retired); general dentists & specialists accepted. No opportunities for those-in-training.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Adults only, no minors.
Kathmandu, Nepal – Dhulikhel Dental School
Volunteers will work to improve the dental education for the students, dental assistants and hygienists at Dhulikhel Dental School in conjunction with the Kathmandu University School of Medicine and Dhulikhel Hospital by providing clinical and didactic training in all aspects of clinical dentistry. Requested topics for instruction include infection control and hygiene in the dental school, dental lab techniques, orthodontics and oral pathology. HVO volunteers will also collaborate with and mentor faculty about effective teaching methods and techniques.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Assignment: 2 weeks minimum in-person; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Board eligible/certified; current license to practice (active or retired). Final-year residents may be considered if accompanied by a licensed oral and maxillofacial surgeon.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions allowed: Adults and minors.
Dar es Salaam, Tanzania – Muhimbili University
Volunteers provide instruction and lectures to the Faculty of Dentistry at Muhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences (MUHAS). The faculty evaluated the DDS curriculum and requested updates in oral surgery, orthodontics, and preventative and restorative dentistry. The dean has also requested assistance with curriculum revision. Volunteers are not needed in February or July due to exams. The dental school is on summer break from August to mid-October, but the oral surgery department runs year-round.
Project type: Hybrid (in-person and virtual)
Assignment: 2 weeks minimum in-person; variable for virtual
Qualifications: Dentists, specialists & oral and maxillofacial surgeons; surgeons must be board certified; current license to practice. Final year residents accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor. Final year residents (oral surgery) accepted if paired with an appropriate preceptor.
Housing: Volunteer responsible for housing; information on nearby facilities provided.
Companions: Adults only, no minors.