An intern on a Dentistry Project in Ghana with local medical staff at a clinic.

Dentistry Internship in Ghana

Gain practical work experience by observing experienced dentists at a teaching hospital

Destination

Ghana

Age

16+ y/o

Minimum Stay

1 week

Start Date

Anytime

Accommodation

Homestay

What’s Included

24/7 Support

Round-the-clock support on the ground and 24/7 back up from our global teams.

Accommodation & Amenities

Clean, safe, and welcoming accommodation. A home away from home with comfortable amenities.

Activities, Training & Equipment

All programme activities and equipment, including training and workshops from experienced professionals.

Certification

Certified record of service hours, workshops, and activities for your CV.

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Starting at £1,520 for 1 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Observe clinical processes

Gain firsthand insight into dental practices within a developing healthcare system by shadowing experienced Ghanaian dentists in a hospital setting.

Community outreach and education

Participate in community dental outreaches, assisting with patient examinations and delivering crucial oral hygiene education to local communities.

Develop your practical skills

Build your understanding of dental procedures and patient care by assisting with equipment preparation and patient support.

Cultural exchange and growth

Immerse yourself in Ghanaian culture by living with a local host family, enjoying traditional cuisine, and exploring its history and natural beauty.

Boost your CV and employability

Improve access to dental care in rural communities and gain valuable international experience that boosts your CV and demonstrates your commitment.

What you need to know

Overview

If you are a student looking for dentistry work experience in another country, then our Dentistry internship in Ghana is for you.

You’ll have the opportunity to shadow dentists and work with patients who have a culture different from your own. The skills you’ll learn during this internship are a great addition to any CV. This can put you a step ahead of the rest in future job interviews.

Even if you’re not a dental student but are considering a career in this direction, you are welcome to sign up. The focus of this internship is on learning, and we’ll teach you everything you need to know for outreach work. You’ll also have a supervisor who will be there when you need them. They are there to teach you, guide you and support you throughout your time in Ghana.

This internship is open throughout the year. We recommend that you stay as long as possible in order to learn more and make the most out of your time in Ghana.

A Day in the Life

You’ll wake up each morning to the call of your host mother. Before making your way to the hospital, you can get ready and grab something to eat. Most host families live close to the hospital, so you’ll either take a 10-minute walk or grab a quick taxi ride. On your first day, our staff will accompany you to show you the way.

On your first day, your supervisor will be there to show you around. You can expect to work from 8 am to 2 pm, Monday to Friday. However, you are welcome to stay longer, provided there is a supervisor available. Lunchtime is typically at 12 pm, but this is not compulsory. Some interns prefer to eat lunch back at their host family after finishing for the day.

You’ll start each day at the hospital by assisting with preparations before they start receiving patients. You’ll then be able to sit in on patient consultations. Once or twice a week, you’ll be able to assist local dentists as they examine children at a dental outreach in the community. These will include visits to schools where you will have the opportunity to educate children on the importance of dental hygiene.

Over the weekends, explore more of the beautiful Ghanaian countryside. Hike through one of the many national parks, visit historical museums, or spend the day relaxing on the beach.

Aims & Impact

The aim of our Dentistry internship in Ghana is to give you a chance to observe and learn from qualified dentists working in a local hospital.

You will gain plenty of work experience hours to add to your CV. In addition, you’ll leave with a deeper insight into the challenges people face with dental care in developing countries. This will give you interesting points to talk about in interviews or applications.

As well as providing you with the opportunity to learn, we also want to include you in our efforts to provide healthcare in disadvantaged, rural areas. We host regular medical outreaches in these communities that you can take part in.

All the work you do helps us move closer towards achieving the four goals in our Medical Management Plan:

Encourage an understanding of medical practices and promote an exchange of medical knowledge
Improve access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups through outreach work
Promote awareness of non-communicable diseases
Improve the quality of healthcare provided to patients

Help us work towards these goals and gain dental work experience in the process by joining our Dentistry internship in Ghana.

Activities

As an intern, you’ll shadow dentists and other medical staff at a local hospital. During your internship, you will:

Shadow local dentists as they complete their day-to-day tasks in a local hospital

Complete basic dental checks alongside a dentist during community outreaches

Conduct oral hygiene presentations in the community and at schools

Assist with patient and equipment preparation as well as providing the patients with support if needed

Your work will focus on these three areas:

Shadow and assist local dentists as they complete their day-to-day tasks in a local hospital

To give you a better idea of dental practices in a developing country, you’ll spend your time observing dentists at your dentistry placement in Ghana. You’ll assist with patient and equipment preparation and provide patients with support if they feel they need it. Use this opportunity to ask the dentist questions about the conditions of different patients and how they are being treated.

Complete basic dental checks alongside a qualified dentist during community outreaches

Many locals living in rural areas cannot afford basic healthcare and are unable to travel to the hospitals and clinics. To improve their access to basic healthcare, you’ll assist dentists with free basic dental checks in the community. You’ll assist with examinations, and the dentist will advise or refer patients after discussing their cases with you.

Conduct oral hygiene presentations in the community and at schools

Education is key to preventing dental issues. You’ll talk to the community and children at local schools about the importance of good oral hygiene. You’ll also create posters and informative materials to distribute in the community and run teeth brushing demonstrations for the children.

Map & Location

Formerly called The Gold Coast, Ghana became an independent nation in 1957, and the first African country colonised by Europeans to achieve independence under majority rule. Still famed for gold and cocoa production, it’s a treasure trove of cultural and natural experiences.

Explore lush rainforests, cascading waterfalls, and golden beaches or get stuck in to the lively music and dance scene. With a rich mix of languages and traditions, its people are known for their warmth and hospitality.

Accra

Accra, the capital of Ghana, is a lively city on the Atlantic coast with a population of over two million. This sprawling metropolis blends modern skyscrapers with historic landmarks, artisan markets, and beautiful beaches. It has a tropical savannah climate with hot temperatures all year.

Accra is culturally rich, with traditional drumming and dance performances alongside an energetic nightlife and thriving arts scene. More than half of the population is under 24, so it’s never short of excitement!

Akuapem Hills

About 90 minutes north of the capital, Accra, lie the quiet and tropical Akuapem Hills. Known for their lush greenery, cocoa farms, and charming villages with traditional architecture, the hills are a perfect escape from city living.

You’ll never feel more welcomed than in the heart of the Ghanaian countryside and you’ll have access to all the essential amenities. Plus, Accra is well within reach for a day trip if needed!

Food & Accommodation

Immediately feel at home with a supportive and welcoming local host family. We’ve vetted each family to guarantee you get everything you need for a wonderful stay. This includes a comfortable bed, three daily meals, fresh drinking water, and daily transport to and from your placement, arranged by our team.

Your host family’s home will be clean, safe, and secure, and they will welcome you as one of their own from the moment you arrive. Absorb the local culture, enjoy their incredible home-cooked food, and build a lifelong connection during the course of your stay.

You’ll stay with other Projects Abroad participants on your travels. If you share a room, we will match you with someone of the same gender and age. Whether you go it alone or with friends, you’ll have the time of your life.

Free Time and Leisure

Volunteering in Ghana is an ideal way to explore this colourful West African country. There’s a huge variety of different activities to do while you’re there, giving you plenty of exciting ways to spend your free time.

Music is a central part of Ghanaian culture. In the bigger towns, especially Accra, you will hear some great live bands and have some memorable nights out. Evenings spent at buzzing restaurants will also give you a taste of some of the delicious local cuisine.

For a look into Ghana’s history, you can tour the slave forts of Cape Coast and visit museums. Nature lovers will relish trekking through the rainforests of Kakum National Park or Mole National Park.

We run a wide range of projects in Ghana so there’s sure to be other volunteers there during your trip. This means you can explore the country solo or connect with other volunteers and travel as a group.

Your Arrival Made Easy

When you arrive at your respective airport, a member of Projects Abroad staff will be there to meet you. You can find more detailed information on arrival airports, orientation, and visas on our Ghana Arrival Procedures page.