Win A Two Week Dental Outreach Placement In Rural Kerala.

Dec. 14, 2009 - PRLog -- The 2010 India dental outreach programme will send students to rural villages across Kerala to treat local children in makeshift dental clinics. Working under the supervision of qualified local dentists, phase one will see the team running oral hygiene workshops to educate the children in caring for their teeth as well as setting up an intensive screening process. All children with dental problems are then referred to the local hospital in which the project is based, with phase two dedicated to providing free dental treatment for each child. With students performing as much of the work as possible, this is a fantastic way for dentistry students to gain on-the-job experience as well as making a real contribution to the local community and having the experience of a lifetime.

2009 dentistry student Clare commented “After three days we had screened 500 children and referred 300 for treatment at the local hospital. The majority of children had never experienced any dental care and although they never complained of any pain, sometimes they would open their mouths and their teeth would be horrendous. I was able to gain experience in many types of treatment, all supervised by Dr Manu and Dr Smitha, and identify advanced cases of dental decay not really seen in the UK.  It boosted my confidence and opened my eyes to dental care in rural India”

Oral health is a growing problem in India. In a multicentric study on oral health, the World Health Organisation in India claimed dental caries, oral cancer, periodontal conditions and bleeding gums are all conditions that have become more prevalent in recent years.  The report concludes “the increase found in the present study could be explained as due to urbanisation and shift towards more refined food over the past decade...... it is evident that oral health care seeking behaviour was very low; people rarely visited the Dentist and only in the event of pain.”

Managing Director Dave Brown said, “We created the Dental Outreach Programme to give our elective students a chance to travel to rural areas, get more hands on experience and really make a difference to the huge numbers of Indian people that desperately need treatment. Now in year three the project has proved itself sustainable and hugely beneficial to the local community – last year alone over 600 people were treated and hundreds more learnt how to look after their teeth. Winning this competition would be an amazing opportunity for someone to use and develop their skills whilst really contributing to the local villages we visit”

Work the World is the UK’s leading provider of healthcare electives and professional placements overseas. With strong partnerships with universities, overseas hospitals and clinics, government authorities and NGOs, the Dental Outreach Programme in India is part of a range of electives and placements offered in Africa, Asia and South America. To win the placement in India, students must create a short video clip talking about the benefits of taking an elective overseas. The deadline for the competition is 31st January 2010 and the placement is available from 11th – 24th July. The competition is opent to anyone that have completed at least their fourth year of a dental degree.
                                                           

Notes to Editors

•Work the World  focus on providing safe, structured  placements tailored to individual clinical interests.  
•WHO is the United Nations’ specialised agency for Health. It is an inter-governmental organisation and works in collaboration with its member states usually through the Ministries of Health. WHO’s objective is the attainment by all people of the highest possible level of health.
•World Health Organisation India released the report “Oral health In India : A Report of the Multicentric Study” in December 2007, updating details in November 2008   http://www.whoindia.org/en/Section20/Section30_1525.htm
•Work the World is a UK registered company. For more information visit http://www.worktheworld.co.uk
•The cost of the two week placement offered as a prize includes all placement organisation, UK and overseas support, meals, accommodation and transport relating to the project. All other costs (flights, visas, travel insurance and socialising) are not included.  
•The competition deadline is 31st January 2010 and the prize must be taken on 11th – 24th July.
•Full competition details and entry terms and conditions are available at www.worktheworld.co.uk/competitions

Supporting information: Imagery, copy and student quotes can be provided. A copy of the release can also be forwarded as a word document
Contact: Ruth Chapman, Communications Manager, Gap Medics - ruth@worktheworld.co.uk

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Work the World is the UK’s leading provider of healthcare electives for UK and international students in Africa, Asia and South America. We tailor placements to match clinical interests, provide 24/7 support as well as full board and accommodation.