Pre-Dental Internship Abroad
Go-Elective Pre-Dental Internship Abroad
Go-Electives’s Pre-Dentistry Internship abroad provides a unique chance for pre-dental students to shadow qualified dentists in resource-deprived hospitals in East Africa. The program is designed for students with a genuine interest in pursuing an undergraduate degree in dentistry. This includes both college students who are on the verge of entering dental school and those enrolled in a pre-dental program, aiming to gain exposure to dentistry within a developing world context.
We offer a diverse program that promotes clinical exposure, career insight, cultural exchange, and professional development. You will also have the opportunity to participate in our hygiene clinics, which involve visiting schools, orphanages, and local communities to raise awareness about oral hygiene and distribute free toothbrushes and toothpaste.
Pre-Dental Placement Duration
The duration of our premed internship program abroad is flexible, ranging from 2 - 12 weeks. You can choose the start and end dates that suit your schedule and align with your school’s requirements.
Daily Pre-Dental Program Schedule Abroad
On weekdays, you will be driven to the hospital at 8 am and then back to the residence at 1 pm for lunch. Afternoons can be spent exploring the destination, going for a walk on the beach, attending a global health seminar, or reading a book in the residence.
Moreover, you have the option to extend your clinical hours by returning to the hospital for an afternoon, evening, or night shift, enhancing your practical experience. You can spend your weekend unwinding, going for a safari, or volunteering in our community outreach programs. You can actively participate in providing preventive health education, interacting with local communities, and immersing yourself in their culture.
What’s Included in the Program Fees
Go Elective offers a comprehensive pre-health shadowing internship abroad package.
We provide pre-trip support; airport transfers; 24/7 assistance; safe, spacious, and comfortable housing; private transport; unlimited Wi-Fi access; laundry services; chef-prepared meals tailored to personal dietary preferences; hospital fees; orientation; mentorship/training; residence-based weekly global health seminars; language lessons; recommendation letter/certificate of participation; volunteering opportunities as well as a chance to explore the destination, hike Mt. Kilimanjaro or go on a safari.
Why Consider a Pre-Dental Shadowing Internship Abroad With GoElective?
Recently, more predental students have shown keen interest in international dental internships because of the great value and memories they offer. However well-structured and flexible internship opportunities can be hard to come by. Go Elective offers an incredibly affordable and appealing program for interning abroad.
Besides, our affiliation with universities has allowed us to tailor our programs to align with the curriculum and requirements of dentistry education. Other benefits are:
- Experience - Step out of your comfort zone, and take on greater responsibility to build your resume and
recommendations to strengthen your graduate school applications. - Clarify Goals - Take on your career exploration, and discover what a future as a healthcare provider is like.
- Immerse Yourself - Explore new destinations, and cultures and make new friends.
- Soft Skills Development - Boost confidence and adaptability by stepping into the dental field.
- Path to Graduate School - Dental schools value candidates who go beyond the traditional classroom setting. Your
participation in a Go-Elective dental internship reflects a proactive commitment to understanding
dentistry. - Community Outreach and Volunteering - Contribute to community well-being through dental hygiene clinics and preventive education.
- Safaris & Cultural Immersion - A chance to explore the local culture and attractions, including safaris and adventures like hiking Mt. Kilimanjaro.
Pre-Dental Shadowing Hours in Your Internship Abroad
During your premedical internship program, you will be required to shadow experienced dentists for a minimum of 25 hours per week. This experience will provide you with valuable insights into the day-to-day responsibilities of dentists working in understaffed and under-resourced environments.
By observing the challenges they face, you will develop a deeper understanding of global oral health issues and gain cultural intelligence.
Hospital Profile
One of our featured hospitals is the Coast General Teaching and Referral Hospital, with a rich history dating back to 1908. It's now the second-largest public hospital in Kenya, serving a primary population of over a million people and a secondary population of about 3 million. Patients travel from across Kenya and East Africa to seek high-quality and compassionate healthcare at this institution.
We also work with other public and private healthcare centers in Mombasa, Malindi, Nairobi, Kakamega, and Arusha in Tanzania.
Arrival To The Pre-Dental Program & Mentorship
Upon your arrival, a designated representative will meet you at the airport to provide transportation to the residence, allowing you to rest after your long journey. Subsequently, you will receive a comprehensive local area orientation followed by a hospital induction the following day.
During the hospital induction, our Placement Coordinator will introduce you to the facility, after which your assigned doctor mentor will assume the role of guiding you throughout the program.This mentorship extends beyond informal teaching of fundamental clinical skills; your mentor will also impart valuable personal insights concerning the medical profession, aiding you in making well-informed decisions about your future career path.
We maintain daily communication with your supervisor to ensure that your learning experience is on track and fulfilling your objectives.
GE Pre-Dental Programs Health & Safety
Our program residences are situated in the safest parts of the cities where we work. Each residence is in a gated community with security staff available all through. The accommodations might involve sharing a room with one other person depending on the number of participants at that particular time.
You'll also have access to common areas equipped with a TV, Wi-Fi, kitchen, dining space, and a swimming pool. Additionally, we offer private transportation to the destinations.
Program Approach & Specialties
In economically disadvantaged nations, where oral healthcare is often a challenge, your contribution as an international predental intern becomes crucial. Patients typically lack awareness of basic oral hygiene, seeking dental assistance only when their conditions reach unbearable levels. These conditions offer valuable learning opportunities.
Importantly, participants will engage in comprehensive exposure to various dental skills and procedures, including cleaning, scaling, fillings, extractions, aesthetic dentistry, and the treatment of gum disease. Specialties include periodontics, orthodontics, prosthodontics, dental public health, endodontics, pediatric dentistry, and maxillofacial surgery.
Note that the program maintains a limited number of slots to maintain the quality of the internship. Therefore, it is recommended to reserve your spot(s) early.
Applying for a Pre-Dentistry Shadowing Internship Abroad
After a simple application and being accepted into the program, we provide personalized pre-departure support, including assistance with securing visas, vaccinations, and resources for cultural acclimation.
Upon arrival, our staff will be available to provide round-the-clock support until your departure. At Go-Elective, we offer a structured environment where we oversee every aspect of our interns’ clinical experience, providing extensive guidance and ensuring you get the most out of the program.
Note that additional application requirements such as uploading your CV, transcripts, or letter from your school may apply.
Scope of Activities During Your Pre-Dental Internship at the Hospital
One of the questions we get the most is what duties, responsibilities, or tasks will you be allowed to do in the hospital. While you won't be directly involved in complex dental procedures, you will:
- Learn how to take patients' dental histories and record their symptoms.
- Gain comprehensive exposure to dental skills and procedures. From initial history-taking and examination to tasks like cleaning, scaling, fillings, extractions, composite restorations, aesthetic dentistry, and the treatment of gum disease,
- Engage in other aspects of dental care delivery under the direct supervision of registered dental professionals.
Our dental internship programs abroad are designed to align with the ADEA Guidelines for Ethical Academic and Industry Interactions, ensuring a responsible and ethical approach to your learning experience.
Adventure Beyond Dentistry
We understand that exploring the local culture and attractions is an important part of your experience. In your free time, you'll have the opportunity to go on safaris, join excursions, or even take on adventurous activities like hiking Mount Kilimanjaro, the tallest mountain in Africa.
These optional add-on activities allow you to fully immerse yourself in the beauty and culture of the placement destinations.
Preparing for Your Trip: Cultural Appropriateness
Before embarking on your pre-dental internship overseas, we recommend familiarizing yourself with your designated placement location. Learning about the language, climate, tribes, culture, and local customs will enrich your experience and help you adapt more easily.
When it comes to what to wear, we suggest choosing conservative and comfortable clothing, considering the local norms and the varying temperatures. You can expect hot weather in some rooms during clinical rotations, so lightweight clothing is recommended. However, it's advisable to carry a warm jumper or jacket for colder evenings, particularly during the middle months of the year. This will be covered in the pre-trip sessions.
Don't Leave Your Friends Behind!
Most applications are solo trips that then join other participants in the program. However,
you are free to travel with a group of friends or classmates. Moreover, you have the option
of extending your experience by inviting your family to join you for a memorable safari at
the program's conclusion.
Note that there may be group discounts available for those who choose to travel with friends
or classmates.
Other Placement Options
Besides healthcare, other work placement options available are Teaching, Community Development, Business Treks, HIV work, Orphanage Work, Agriculture, Environmental Protection, and more.
Our programs revolve around volunteering, studying abroad, career exploration, cultural immersion, language study, and gap year programs. Which can all be used for school credit.
2026 & Summer 2027 Pre-Dental Applications Ongoing
Ready to enhance your dentistry application and explore the world of dentistry? Join Go-Elective and gain a competitive edge through our transformative pre-dental internship programs in 2026 or the summer of 2027.
Scrub up, and make a difference with Go-Elective Pre-Dental Programs!
Success Stories from Our Alumni Network
Go Elective surpassed my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the GE staff made me feel at ease. The shadowing experience I got from the rural clinics in Mombasa was incredible, allowing me to see things I don't think I would have seen anywhere else.
Kayla Foord, Premed Internship
Success Stories from Our Alumni Network
Working with a skilled surgeon was incredible, but the real highlight was the eye-opening experience at the Coast General Hospital. It humbled me and showed me the impact that the medical profession can have worldwide.
Matthew O'Donnell, Medical Elective
Go Elective surpassed my expectations. From the moment I arrived, the GE staff made me feel at ease. The shadowing experience I got from the rural clinics in Mombasa was incredible, allowing me to see things I don't think I would have seen anywhere else.
Kayla Foord, Premed Internship
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Go Elective offers immersive opportunities for medical students, pre-med undergraduates, residents, nursing practitioners, and PAs to gain guided invaluable experience in busy hospitals abroad. Discover the power of study, travel, and impact.
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