DENTAL ECUADOR PROGRAM
Amazing Andes Spanish School offers a space to strengthen one´s skills, decision making, and knowledge in Dental health in an Ecuadorian cultural context. We works as a partner with Child Family Health International, a California non-profit organization (“CFHI”) that builds and strengthens sustainable health care services in underserved communities worldwide by providing oral health students with opportunities for service-learning through its oral health immersion program in Quito- Ecuador.
We provide services and logistical support related to CFHI’s Dental health education programs to enhance the learning experience combined with second-language skills acquisition through Spanish classes. Students will spend four hours in Dental clinical rotations and four hours in Spanish classes daily (Monday to Friday). The class schedule depends on the work hours of the Dental clinics. Your experience will be heightened tremendously if you can understand what the professionals and Ecuadorian people are telling you, and for this reason Spanish classes quickly become a very important part of the program. Ecuadorian family home-stays will also leave participants with invaluable life skills that will stay with them forever.
This program is for students who are more than 20 years old and have finished high-school. It offers a unique opportunity for those who wish to pursue a career in the Dental field. Through Dental clinical placements, students are able to observe the Dental field in a unique setting, allowing them to decide on their future career path. Also, for those who are finished with their medical degree and practicing, this program allows them to experience and possibly assist with Dental practice in a developing country. The program is open every month of the year.
Students will work with an instructor in each clinic as they attend patients. The most common specialties are Prosthodontist, Orthodontist, Endodontist oral surgery and Pediatric dentistry. All modern treatments are available including crowns, implants, micro abrasion and even treatments with a dental laser for cleanings, cavities, oral surgery and periodontal debrodement. Depending on the student’s education level, clinical experience and language ability, they may be able to help by simply observing, educating patients in the waiting room, organizing turns, or assist in surgeries. In no case will students have sole responsibility of patients. The instructor will always be with the student, and is responsible for each patient.
These clinics are in the Center of Quito (Old Town) and in the North of Quito. This program will provide a diverse experience for dentistry students, allowing them to view local oral health practitioners and improving their cultural competency and broadening their public oral health knowledge. The main dental problem seen by Ecuadorian dentists is cavities.
The following is a list of what the students can do:
Dental Clinics
The public dental system in Ecuador has been in place for over a century. They have all the necessary equipment a pharmacy, x-rays, laboratories. Clinics are open 10 hours a day.
CENTROS DE SALUD (Dental Centers)
These small clinics are located in different areas of Quito. They are for lower to middle class families. The centers are teaching clinic for pre-dental students and residents.
For more information contact CHILD FAMILY HEALTH INTERNATIONAL- www.cfhi.org
