Student perspective
Working conditions at the government- funded school were quite different from what I was used to
Gregor mixing GIC in our makeshift clinic
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of care possible and not to undertake any task or treatment which you are not comfortable with. The opportunity to travel is one of
the biggest appeals to most students. Dentistry is a demanding course, and we do not get the long summer breaks afforded to most students, narrowing the scope for travel. Therefore, the six-week elective period,
followed by the five-week summer break is seen by many as the last opportunity to enjoy an extended period of travel before working commitments take priority.
Logistics Trying to make the most of this experience can become a bit of a head- ache as flights, trains, visas, vaccinations and many other considerations must be arranged while simultaneously studying for final exams and juggling patients, but is undoubtedly worth the hassle, as travelling with friends and fellow students is a once- in-a-lifetime experience. Myself and numerous other students
found STA Travel extremely helpful, as its flights are comparable to any prices found online and the staff were always keen and available to offer any advice. Humanitarian projects are not without
risk to the volunteer. Knowing how to stay safe when travelling is essential and litigation is a common concern, with MDDUS offering free elective indemnity to students which is quick and easy to obtain. But the main area of concern is needle stick injuries. The threat of sharps injuries is omnipresent in the dental profes- sion both at home and abroad – however, in developing countries, there are additional complications.
“Despite all of the risks and concerns, the main appeal of these projects is the opportunity to provide care and help to a vulnerable population”
Sterilisation processes and cleanliness
are often far lower than we are accustomed to. I observed numerous practices in India which would not be tolerated in the UK, particularly the reuse of instruments such as forceps, mirrors and even gloves and endodontic files on different patients without sterilisation. Safe disposal of sharps is also of a
lower standard – we resorted to using a glass water bottle for disposal of our
FURTHER TRAVEL ADVICE
A Lonely Planet guide to the countries you are planning to visit is almost as essential as a passport, and there are a number of useful websites such as:
Trains
www.seat61.com for booking trains worldwide
Accommodation
www.agoda.com
www.hostelbookers.com Health
www.nhs.co.uk/travelhealth for country- specific advice on all matters pertinent to health.
Scottish Dental magazine 29
sharps when working in camps and, as noted earlier, it is often difficult to obtain a complete medical history. Considering that India has an HIV population of approximately 1.6 million and a hepatitis B population of approximately 1.1 million, these factors added a new level of danger to sharps injuries. However, there are a number of steps
which can be taken to minimise the dangers. Post-exposure prophylaxis kits are essential, and while they are expensive (£100 per kit) they take two years to go out of date – meaning we managed to get kits at a discount from groups in the year above who took kits but did not use them. A protocol for the disposal of sharps is also essential, as it will minimise confusion and the length of time that used sharps are present in the working environment, as well as ensuring all sharps are disposed of as safely as possible. That said, the most important factor
in minimising the risk of sharps injuries – as with working at home – is personal vigilance. A keen awareness of which instruments are being used, how to use them, where they are, how to dispose of
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