I grew up in a small town in India. Participating in various health care camps in under-served neighborhoods helped me realize the importance of access to care and how it can affect people’s health. Therefore, I chose a dental school that focused on community outreach programs.
The dental degree in India is Bachelor of Dental Surgery. It includes four years of academic program and a one-year rotatory internship. In the first year anatomy classes, we learned to dissect human cadaver as well as identify various tissues under microscope. In the dental anatomy class, we had to repeat carving of permanent teeth on wax blocks until we got three approved sets of all 32 teeth. In the pre-clinical prosthodontics and conservative classes during the second year, we made complete and partial dentures and prepared cavities respectively. Only the candidates, who had successfully completed the assigned quota of pre-clinical work, were allowed to sit in the written and practical exams.
Clinical rotations started in the third year when it was time to treat the real patients. We had to clear the viva in order to be eligible to treat every new patient. My dental school was surrounded by many small villages. This gave me the chance to provide dental care to the rural communities. In spite of availability of dentists, the barriers that limited the access to dental care were lack of awareness, transportation issues and ability to pay. Our dental school provided nearly free services to remove the barrier of payment. Also, the students paid for their patients who could not afford to pay themselves. We made frequent home visits to convince the rural communities to get access to dental care. Afterwards, we had the responsibility to drive them down to the hospital for the scheduled appointment, treat them, then safely return them home after the treatment to eliminate the transportation issues. And here is the kicker: all this had to be done within the limited clinical hours. We were strictly forbidden to miss our lectures in order to complete the clinical hours.
The most challenging part of all was building awareness for oral hygiene. Even after availability of dental care and eliminating the issues of transportation and payment, I witnessed people with very poor oral hygiene. After treating many patients, I figured out that one of the barriers was lack of emotional hygiene as well. Poverty, depression, stress and economic problems lead to various addictions and improper oral hygiene. I think counseling the patients and inspiring them to love and value their life is also a part of practicing rural dentistry. But this was half the story. The other point was undervalued oral health. During my clinical rotation in oral surgery, I had a patient who visited me only because he had difficulty pulling one of his teeth himself and wanted me to pull his tooth out without numbing. Many of the patients never had a toothbrush and floss. People in rural areas pay far less attention to oral health care than other aspects of health care. Educating them that oral health is a window to overall health is mandatory.
My dental school organized a free dental check-up camp at one of the many neighborhood villages or school every week. The patients who required treatment were brought to the hospital in a bus, were treated free of charge and were dropped back home afterwards. During dental camps in villages, we had the opportunity to educate people by presenting lectures on importance of oral health care, harmful effects of smoking and tobacco, tooth brushing techniques, etc.
Sports and cultural events were being held throughout the year in our school. Participating in all these extra-curricular activities along with the rigorous academic curriculum taught us to maintain a meticulous schedule and develop the qualities needed to pursue dentistry. We also had a one year compulsory rotatory internship which again enhanced my love for rural dentistry.
Serving rural communities for three years in dental school helped me make a difference in so many lives. I would love to do it for the rest of my life.
~Rhutvi Virani, predental
This is really fascinating. Its 180degree experience from mine here in the States.
Thanks for sharing!
i really feel the same as well,and i appreciate your point of view towards rural population oral hygiene ,they do need special care
Dr Virani,
Its an insightful experience of Indian rural communities. The public health reflects on the economical and personal health of a community/state/country. Your article provides a good example of that.
Good Job!
Amazing seeing the differences between dentistry there and here. Thanks so much for sharing your experience!
Thanks Jordan.
Thanks for sharing. I have been to some African countries where I experience very similar situations. Great article.
it’s not easy practicing dental health care in rural areas… the root cause of poor oral hygiene in rural areas is myths regarding dental treatment
Very true.
Very interesting article. Thanks for sharing. Its is very difficult to work with rural population. Great work.
Thanks Rhutvi Virani for sharing your experience with us through this write up.
Thanks Dr. Uday
This post is worth everyone’s attention. Good work.
Thanks very much.
Nice Post admin | Keep Posting on
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