Dental Medicine
The program is intended for students and practitioners of dental medicine who wish to develop their skills through direct patient care. Volunteers will work independently under supervision, gain practical experience in various dental procedures, and enhance their knowledge in a real clinical environment.
Role
Dental Assistant
Partner Organisation
Clínica Dr. Rachid Sid-Ahmed
Location
Brusubi, The Gambia
Language
English (basic local phrases welcome)
Type of Travel
Study Visit / Voluntary Work / Group Expedition
Availability
Open year-round
Duration
Minimum 2 weeks; maximum duration is not limited.
Schedule
Mon–Fri, 08:00–16:00; typical volunteer shift 3–5 hours/day
About the Clinic
The Dr. Rachid Sid-Ahmed Clinic is a leading dental center dedicated to providing comprehensive oral and dental care. The team of highly qualified professionals offers top-quality services in various areas of dentistry, including general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, periodontology, orthodontics, oral surgery, and aesthetic dentistry.
Why your help matters
Your participation in this program makes a real difference – both for you and for the community you will help.
As a volunteer, you will gain valuable clinical experience while directly improving access to dental care for people who would otherwise struggle to receive it.
As a volunteer, you will:
- Perform real clinical procedures in various fields of dentistry;
- Gain practical experience while helping communities in need;
- Work on cases supported by the patient fund (financed by a weekly contribution of €500 for materials and procedures);
- As a graduate, have the opportunity to specialize in a chosen dental field;
- As a 3rd–6th-year student, perform procedures under expert supervision, while younger volunteers will observe and assist in selected tasks.
Your participation creates a dual impact – you gain valuable experience and develop your professional knowledge, while helping improve oral health among the most vulnerable members of the community who often face limited access to basic healthcare.
Role overview (what you’ll do) — under staff supervision
As a volunteer, you will have the opportunity to apply your knowledge in practice and contribute to improving patients’ oral health. Depending on your level of study and experience, you will be able to participate in different fields of dentistry and acquire valuable clinical skills under professional supervision.
Volunteers can take part in the following areas:
- General Dentistry: Performing basic procedures, including root canal treatments.
- Oral Hygiene: Providing preventive care and educating patients on proper oral hygiene.
- Periodontology: Assessing and treating gum diseases.
- Orthodontics: Working with braces and invisible aligners.
- Maxillofacial Surgery: Assisting in oral surgical procedures, examining changes, and early diagnosis.
- Prosthetics: Making and fitting crowns, bridges, and prostheses made of zirconia, porcelain, or ceramics.
- Aesthetic Dentistry: Assisting with veneers, teeth whitening, and smile design.
- Pain Management Clinic: Supporting the treatment of neurological and jaw pain.
Students from the 3rd to 6th year will be able to actively participate in all clinical areas under professional supervision. Graduates may choose a specialization area in agreement with the clinic, while younger volunteers will observe and assist selected procedures in a safe and guided environment.
Who we’re looking for
The ideal volunteer for the Dr. Rachid Clinic is someone with professional curiosity, compassion, and a desire to help others. This is an opportunity where learning and charity come together — ideal for those who wish to improve their knowledge, gain practical experience, and contribute to the health of the community.
- Dental students from the 3rd year onward, seeking hands-on clinical experience under supervision;
- Graduates looking for opportunities to specialize in a specific dental field and deepen their knowledge in a real setting;
- Younger students eager to learn through observation, assist in selected procedures, and gradually develop their skills.
An appropriate volunteer is someone who understands the responsibility of working with people, respects professional boundaries and safety regulations, and brings warmth, empathy, and willingness to help to their work.
Program goals
- To provide dental care to people with limited access to treatment;
- To help students develop practical and clinical skills;
- To promote intercultural learning and professional growth.
Training & supervision
First Day: The volunteer coordinator or experienced volunteers will accompany you to the dental clinic, where your mentor will introduce you to your duties and the clinic’s operations. Together, you will meet the staff and learn about the daily workflow.
During the first few days, you will observe the work of experienced dentists and gradually take on more independent tasks according to your skills and confidence. The clinic maintains a friendly and supportive atmosphere – every volunteer has the opportunity to grow, learn, and contribute to the best of their ability.
End of training: Reflection on your experience and, if desired, obtaining a volunteer certificate.
How to prepare
Preparation for volunteer work at the Dr. Rachid Clinic requires a responsible attitude, professional conduct, and respect for ethical principles.
Before arrival, it is important that volunteers familiarize themselves with the clinic’s operation, its values, and safety procedures for working with patients. All procedures are carried out under strict supervision, meaning volunteers are not allowed to perform medical treatments independently without proper training and authorization.
Ethical preparation is equally important. All patient information is confidential, and privacy must be strictly respected. Taking photos of patients or sharing any related content on social media without written consent is strictly prohibited.
Volunteers should also be prepared to participate actively in fundraising for materials and medical equipment. Each volunteer is expected to contribute or help raise funds needed for the materials used in the clinic, thus directly supporting the sustainability of the program and providing care to those who could not otherwise afford it.
Fundraising
We encourage every volunteer to participate in fundraising efforts that help improve the working conditions in the dental clinic and support the patients. Donations are primarily used to purchase materials for dental procedures, tailored to the clinical focus of each volunteer.
The participation fee for the dental programme is €500, as this amount covers the costs of the professional supervisors who oversee and guide the volunteers’ work. This ensures that volunteers gain valuable hands-on experience with real patients, while patients receive free dental care they would otherwise be unable to afford.
For orthodontic volunteers, the participation fee is higher — €750 — due to the greater complexity of the work and the increased cost of the specialised professional supervision required for this programme.
How it works?
Click HERE to learn everything you need to know—in one place—about how volunteering with us works and how to prepare.
Stories of Our Volunteers
Zala Košir
This can’t be started differently than to say that the experience was amazing, and it truly warmed my heart. If you are thinking of going to The Gambia as a volunteer, don’t wait any longer – just go for it. You won’t regret it. I know I should start at the beginning, so I’ll go back now.