Dentistry interns and healthcare staff after completing a dental outreach and medical camp in Sri Lanka.

Dentistry Internship in Sri Lanka

Learn directly from dentists at a hospital and get involved with doing health checks during community outreaches

Destination

Sri Lanka

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 £1,295 for 1 weeks

Flexible 0% Interest payments

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Trip Overview

Observe dentists in hospitals

Shadow experienced dentists in Sri Lankan hospitals, witnessing diverse procedures and gaining insight into local dental practices.

Improve community dental health

Participate in medical outreaches, assisting with vital sign checks and oral hygiene education in communities with limited healthcare access.

Build your practical skills

Assist with patient screenings and prepare materials, enhancing your practical skills and understanding of dental procedures.

Discover a brand new culture

Experience Sri Lankan hospitality by living with a host family, enjoying traditional cuisine, and exploring the diverse landscapes and culture.

Grow as a person and professional

Strengthen your CV with international dental experience, expand your understanding of global dental challenges, and develop crucial soft skills.

What you need to know

Overview

Are you planning on a career in dentistry? Maybe you’re a current student or recent graduate? If so, this internship is ideal for you.

You’ll gain invaluable dentistry work experience in Sri Lanka as you learn directly from experienced dentists. We encourage you to ask questions and take notes to get as much out of your experience as possible. It will also help grow your CV and give you excellent points to discuss in applications or interviews.

Your role in the hospital dental unit is mostly observational. This means that you can join us and learn without having previous experience or training. More hands-on work is available at the discretion of local staff and is dependent on your level of training or studies.

During your time abroad, you will have the help of our Projects Abroad medical supervisor. Their role is to ensure your internship runs smoothly. You will also have a dentist at your placement who will oversee your time at the hospital.

However, all Dentistry interns will have the chance to do practical work at our regular medical outreaches. These outreaches help people in disadvantaged communities, where there is no access to healthcare services.

This internship is available year-round with flexible dates, so you can choose a time that suits you.

A Day in the Life

A typical day on this internship runs from 9 am – 12 pm and 2.30 pm – 4 pm, Monday to Friday. Your hours may vary. If you live close enough to your host family, you can go home for lunch. Otherwise, you can bring a packed lunch with you.

After you’ve had breakfast in the morning, you will travel to your work placement via bus or rickshaw. If it’s close enough, you can even walk. On your first day, Projects Abroad staff will accompany you to show you the way.

You will spend your time observing staff in the dental unit at a local hospital. This is a great way to experience a day in the life of a dentist and all that it entails.

From screening patients to minor surgical procedures, you will witness a wide range of different activities. Dental staff may need your assistance from time to time, whether it is sorting case files or preparing materials for a procedure.

On certain days, you will break away from your regular schedule to participate in community outreach activities. This is a great opportunity to experience medical work in a different setting. On these outreaches, you’ll work under the supervision of a local doctor to check vital signs and dispense medication.

Once you’re done for the day, it’s time to enjoy all that Sri Lanka has to offer. You can spend time getting to know your host family over a delicious dinner or explore the surroundings. We run regular social events for our interns and volunteers, which is a great way to make new friends from around the world.

Aims & Impact

The aim of this project is to provide interns with an educational experience that builds their practical knowledge and prepares them for their future career.

Many of the people who sign up for our healthcare internships are students or recent graduates looking to learn and gain real-world experience. We facilitate this cross-cultural exchange by matching interns with medical organisations in developing countries. You’ll learn from qualified and experienced dentists, who are eager to help you develop.

Another one of our goals in Sri Lanka is to improve access to basic healthcare for disadvantaged groups of people. While the government provides healthcare to all citizens, it has limited capacity and can be inconsistent. To address this, we run regular medical outreaches which serve around 150 – 500 patients at a time. This is critical work, as these people would otherwise not have access to medical care. Working with fellow medical interns, you’ll conduct basic health checks and distribute food and medicine.

We also work towards these goals in Sri Lanka:

Promote awareness of non-communicable diseases such as diabetes and high blood pressure
Improve hygiene standards
Reduce the number of cases of Dengue fever

Join us for a dental internship in Sri Lanka that incorporates observational and practical work. This well-rounded experience will boost your CV.

Activities

At the hospital where you work, you’ll learn about many different aspects of dental practice. Some of the activities you will get involved in include:

Observe professional staff at work in a dental unit
Assist where needed on a range of different tasks
Take part in regular community outreaches
Learn new skills at medical workshops

Observe professional staff at work in a dental unit

Your main role during this internship is to shadow experienced dental staff at work in a hospital dental unit. You will learn more about specific dental procedures and general oral healthcare. You’ll also witness a range of different procedures. We encourage you to ask questions and show your willingness to learn. Staff here are happy to share their knowledge with you.

Assist where needed on a range of different tasks

You may also have the chance to assist with a range of different tasks during your shift at the hospital. However, this is dependent on your level of training and experience. Tasks may include providing information to patients about oral hygiene, conducting patient screenings, or assisting with patient care. You may also need to prepare the area for dental work or get materials ready for a procedure.

Take part in regular community outreaches

Together with other medical interns, you will be able to take part in regular community outreaches. These provide basic medical care to disadvantaged people who would otherwise not have access to treatment. On these outreaches, you will help to take vital signs such as blood pressure and blood sugar levels. You will also help to dispense medication under the supervision of a doctor.

These outreaches may also take the form of educational visits to schools. Here, you will raise awareness about good dental practice for healthy teeth and gums.

Learn new skills at medical workshops

Projects Abroad also runs regular workshops for all our medical interns. A local doctor will provide you with basic training so that you are able to take part in the community outreaches. They will also teach you about conditions that are prominent in the area and share information about diagnoses and treatment. It’s a chance to ask questions and build your knowledge.

Map & Location

Ayubowan! That’s “may you live long” in Sinhala, the language of Sri Lanka, a beautiful island nation in the Indian Ocean. Experience a culture and tradition dating back thousands of years and try the exotic flavours of Sri Lankan cuisine.

Did you know Sri Lanka is thought to have world’s oldest wildlife sanctuary? While exploring, you’ll find ancient cities with distinct architectural styles, vast tea plantations in mist-covered hills, and the warm hospitality of its people.

Galle

Coastal, historic, and well-connected, Galle is an idyllic city in the south of Sri Lanka. Most famous for the incredibly well preserved 17th-century fort, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, the city is home to 100,000 people and has a warm, tropical climate.

Within fort walls, you’ll find narrow streets with colonial-era buildings, cosy cafes, shops, restaurants, and stunning views of the Indian Ocean. You may even see signs of the strong global trade Galle has conducted through history.

Food & Accommodation

Experience the warmth of Sri Lankan hospitality and settle into your home away from home. We provide everything you need for a comfortable and enriching stay, including a cosy bed, three delicious meals a day filled with local flavors, and access to clean drinking water.

You’ll be welcomed into the home of a carefully vetted Sri Lankan family, offering a unique opportunity to immerse yourself in the local culture. We’ll take care of your daily transport to and from your placement, making your experience even smoother.

Your host family home will be a safe and comfortable space, and if you share a room, it will be with someone of the same gender and similar age. This allows you to connect with fellow travellers, share your experiences, and create lasting memories.

Free Time and Leisure

Sri Lanka is well-known for its diverse landscapes. From beaches to tropical jungles, there’s something for everyone in this fascinating country.

The buzzing Pettah Market is a must-see. You can chat to friendly vendors, buy handmade products, and enjoy the electric atmosphere around you. For cultural enrichment, you can spend an afternoon in the National Museum of Colombo. The Gangaramaya Buddhist Temple is also a highlight, with its vast collection of artefacts.

The town of Galle is a sea port with a strong Dutch heritage and plenty of old colonial buildings to explore. You can also venture inland to hike in the hills, swim in the cool waterfalls, and visit traditional hill towns.

Sri Lanka’s national parks include safari parks where you can spot wildlife like leopards and elephants, or spend an early morning bird-watching in one of the wetland sanctuaries. There are also rainforest reserves crammed full of tropical biodiversity.

You’ll be sharing this unique experience with many other volunteers. This means you can travel solo or spend your free time with the friends you make during your trip.

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 Sri Lanka Arrival Procedures page.