| Location: | Zambia: Lusaka, Namwala, Muchila, Mfuwe |
| Travel dates (Anticipated): | July 2019 |
| Application Release: | April 2019 |
| Assoc. Student Org.: | Not applicable |
| Assoc. Abroad Clinic/Dental School: | Namwala Health District, Namwala District Hospital, Local Dental Providers |
| Trip leader & Contact Info: | Amanjot Sarao (D20) |
| Estimated # of Students: | 5 |
| Estimated # of Faculty: | 1-2 |
| Goals/ Areas of Focus: | Collaboration with Ministry of Health and Namwala Health District, education, preventative care • Surgical work in Namwala District Hospital • Work with dental therapists & dental training school in the Namwala Health District |
Since 2006 Zambian/U.S. interdisciplinary health teams have addressed the four components of primary oral health promotion as recommended by the World Health Organization in the Muchila Project in rural Zambia. These include oral health education, emergency care for infection and pain, fluoride exposure and atraumatic restorative treatment (ART). Under supervision of U.S. and Zambian faculty, Tufts School of Dental Medicine (TUSDM) dental students have been working with Options for Children in Zambia, the Muchila Rural Health Center and the Ministry of Health in Zambia to integrate oral health into a comprehensive health care model. A key component of this project has been the construction of a maternal child health center complete with a dental room which was completed in August 2014.
In addition, TUSDM students and faculty provide dental care to orphans at the Kasisi Children’s Home, Zambia’s largest orphanage. Time permitting, students can visit Zambia’s beautiful Victoria Falls, the world’s largest waterfall, or visit one of Zambia’s many safaris.
Interested in reading more about Zambia? Read some of the students’ reflections below
For more information please contact Dr. John Morgan.
Have you participated on a global service learning activity that isn’t already up on Dental Central? We’d love to hear your story! Please email Cindy Park (D20) for more info.