What We Do
DVP FAQs
Here are our most frequently-asked questions about the Dental Volunteer Programme (DVP):
1. Who can apply for a DVP?
Any UK-qualified dentist with 1 year post-graduate experience, plus experienced dental nurses and hygienists, are welcome to apply. Overseas applicants with good English may be eligible; contact us for details.
2. How much does it cost to take part in?
The current cost for each participant is £960 + the cost of your international flight (around £550 – we book this on your behalf so that the whole DVP team can travel out together). So total costs are approximately £1,500.
The £960 includes a non-refundable deposit of £250.
3. What does the money cover?
Your International flights from Heathrow – Dar es Salaam or Nairobi (and back), plus internal flights up to Mwanza. All accommodation, food, and local transport costs for the trip are covered.
4. When does the money need to be paid?
If you are successful at interview, you will receive confirmation in the post. The deposit is payable on your acceptance of a place. The balance of the money must be paid in full 10 weeks prior to your departure date. No refunds can be given after this time.
5. Do I need travel insurance?
Yes; insurance is vital to cover yourself whilst in Tanzania and, if you did need to pull out of the trip less than 10 weeks prior to departure, you would need to make a claim via your insurance company if you had a valid reason for dropping out.
6. How long is a DVP? Can I come for more/less time?
Each DVP lasts for 13 days. Each Programme is tailored to fit the training needs of the Clinical Officers, and so cannot be of a shorter or longer duration.
If you did wish to come for a longer time, we do have regular opportunities for Locums to work in Hope Dental Centre in Mwanza; contact us for more details.
7. What hours will I be working? Will I get the chance to experience any other aspects of Tanzania?
Hours on a DVP can be long and tiring; expect to be out between 7am and 5.30pm (including travel time). In the middle of each DVP, there is the opportunity to experience a safari at additional cost – Mwanza is just a two hour drive from the gates of the Serengeti National Park!
8. What will I be doing each day?
Dentists - You will be part of a team, training local Clinical Officers in safe extraction technique. Be prepared to carry out a lot of extractions yourself! Due to the remote nature of the clinics, restorative dentistry is rarely an option and extraction is the safest and most reliable procedure.
Nurses – You will be supporting the team by ensuring the ‘clinic’ runs smoothly; preparing the necessary instruments and materials, sterilising using basic techniques, as well as assisting chair-side with ‘holding heads’ (no dental chairs)! As well as this, you will have the opportunity to work with the Clinical Officers - training them in sterilisation techniques and OHE.
9. Where will I be staying?
All DVP participants stay in tourist-grade Hotels in Mwanza town, or in ex-patriate accommodation at Mine sites. You will have electricity (although it may be intermittent), hot and cold running water and a clean, safe and comfortable private room.
10. What will I be eating?
We will provide you with a Western-style lunch. In the evenings, Mwanza has a good range of restaurants and you are free to join colleagues at either your hotel restaurant or in any one of these eateries. Food can be quite meat-based, but many hotels do provide vegetarian options. Food on-site, including at the Mines, is excellent.
11. I have specific food issues; can you accommodate me?
We will do our best to provide a diet suitable to your needs, but please tell us in advance if you have any food allergies or eat a restricted diet. Please help us to help you by giving us as much information as possible, in plenty of time.
It may be necessary for you to bring some of your own snacks or staple foods if they are not available in Mwanza. Although much of the food in Tanzania is meat based, vegetarians can be catered for. Please tell us ahead of time.
12. What will the weather be like?
Mwanza has a hot climate with two seasons of rain each year: the masika, or long rains that fall from mid-March to the end of May, and the mvuli, or short rains, that come intermittently throughout November and parts of December, and sometimes stretch into early January. Even in the rainy seasons, though, it is very warm compared to the UK!
13. What clothes should I wear?
In Tanzania, modest dress is appropriate. Many Western styles are unacceptable, so for ladies, loose clothing that covers shoulders and knees is necessary and for men long trousers and short-sleeved cotton shirts. It is acceptable to wear shorts when in the Game Reserve (Serengeti), but not in Mwanza town or when out on work sites.
You may need a sweater or shawl in the evenings as the temperature does drop a few degrees and some restaurants are right on Lake Victoria. Long clothing in the evenings is recommended to avoid mosquito bites.
14. What are the health risks in Tanzania?
The main area of concern is Malaria, and everyone is advised to avoid mosquito bites where possible by using insect repellent spray, wearing long clothes and sleeping under a net (provided). All DVP participants should take appropriate anti-malaria prophylactics. Your GP will advise you on other vaccinations, but you should be up-to-date with Tetanus and Hepatitis (A+B), you should have a Typhoid jab, and you may wish to consider shots against Yellow Fever and Cholera.
More information on health risks can be found at http://wwwn.cdc.gov/travel/destinations/tanzania.aspx
15. How do you manage health risks for volunteers?
All volunteers will fill in a health questionnaire prior to interview. It is imperative that applicants are as honest as possible about their own health; very few conditions would prevent someone taking part in a DVP, but for us to manage each individual we need as much information as possible.
With the change in diet experienced whilst on DVP, many volunteers will experience some degree of diarrhoea or stomach upset. This is not a major problem, but the diet can cause considerable exacerbation of the symptoms of IBS (Irritable Bowel Syndrome) and this must be considered before applying.
It should be noted, however, that all volunteers are ultimately responsible for their own health.
16. What about HIV?
Many people in Tanzania are infected with HIV and cross-infection control is of the utmost importance. Sterilization procedures and the use of Universal Precautions are paramount, and we take every care in this area.
We have an effective protocol should a needle stick injury occur.
17. I want to apply. How do I go about it?
You can download an application pack from our website by clicking here, or contact Ruth Bowyer, our Visits Administrator, on 07748 643006 or by email.
NB Ruth works Monday-Friday, 9am-1pm.