STUDENT
WHAT IS THE DENTAL WELLNESS TRUST ELECTIVE PROJECT?
The DWT offer a chance for dental students to carry out an elective project during their studies. The projects typically lasts two to four weeks and takes place in the township of Khayelitsha near Cape Town, South Africa.
WHAT CAN SUCCESSFUL APPLICANTS EXPECT?
The successful applicant will become an ambassador for the DWT and become involved in the ongoing projects in South Africa. The intern will travel with the Mamas (DWT staff who manage the daily running of the Live Smart programme) and report back to the DWT committee in the UK.
The project can be varied and the intern will respond to the needs of the charity during their time there. The general duties one can expect involve; distribution of supplies and oral hygiene aids to the schools, training the Mamas and teachers and assessing the performance of the projects in place. The intern will then be assisted with implementing positive changes into the projects and making an impact on the local communities. In previous years, interns have also attended the University of the Western Cape Dental School for observation under the supervision of Professor Neil Myburgh.
One key aspect of the intern project is to carry out a research project. This will be designed and planned prior to arrival and then implemented by the intern. This will form the basis for the assessment of the project and promoting a positive change in areas required. This research is then collated and published to distribute knowledge gained.
WHAT ARE THE BENEFITS?
The major benefit of the project is that you would be positively impacting the lives of those in the local community. The project is hands on and the difference to the local population can be seen through the research results and the impact on individuals can be seen during your stay.
The chance to be assisted with an international research project can be a fantastic asset for the future and vital skill to learn for academic minded future clinicians.
The project takes place in the beautiful setting of South Africa. The vast majority of interns ensure they spend a couple of weeks following the project in the country and have time for travel throughout Cape Town and along the Garden Route.
HOW DO I APPLY?
Applications for a summer elective project must be submitted between September and December the year before. This then gives enough time between January until your departure to ensure that applications can be processed, fundraising and training carried out and projects planned. (For example, interns wanting to be accepted onto an August 2020 project need to submit an application before December 2019).
The general application process involves submission of basic details, DBS clearance, experience in the charity sector and a reference from dental school. The project must be agreed and planned by May to allow for training to be carried out in June for a July / August departure date.