Are you a dental hygiene student looking to gain experience in the field? An internship or externship is a great way to get hands-on experience and learn more about the field of dentistry. Internships and externships provide an opportunity to follow dental professionals in both the best and the worst of environments. The Department of Dentistry at the University of Virginia (UVA) is a popular site for external students from dental schools and hygiene schools that have contracts with UVA. International Medical Aid (IMA) also offers dental internships that provide interns with an opportunity to improve their study abroad experience by participating in a planned adventure retreat in the country of their choice.
IMA ensures that its interns are fully informed and prepared before starting their dental internship program. This is demonstrated to them by volunteering, working in the field of dentistry before earning a degree in dentistry, or seeking opportunities that would allow them to learn more about the field of dentistry. IMA also strives to improve the health of marginalized people through community hygiene clinics and public health education programs, as dental care in the developing world is less common. Dental schools like to see that their candidates have gone the extra mile to learn everything they can about the field of dentistry. Hospital fees required to use hospital facilities, often additional with other companies, are all included in the dental internship program fee. If you're interested in exploring internships and externships for dental hygiene students, there are several options available.
You can start by researching programs at UVA or IMA, or you can look into other universities or organizations that offer similar programs. Additionally, you can reach out to local dentists or dental hygienists who may be able to provide you with more information about internships and externships.