Internship Report Nepal March 2024

This experience was invaluable for all of us, not only professionally but also providing insights into healthcare in a developing country and offering an unique perspective on Nepal's cultural diversity.
In the months leading up to our trip, we extensively prepared for our mission: To best serve our patients in Nepal, we relied on donated materials and were fortunate to receive generous contributions from several companies. In total, we gathered about 40 kg of donations and had to be creative in arranging their transport to Nepal.

Our internship group was divided into two teams, each comprising four members. The first team treated patients near Chitwan National Park in the south of the country, while the second team operated west of Pokhara in the mountainous region of Salija.



During our time in the southern part of the country, one group worked under warm temperatures, while the other in the mountains experienced cool mountain winds and warmed up by the stove in the evenings. Despite these different climatic conditions, our patients presented similar dental issues and demands. We were generally surprised by the dental health of the adult population, with many teeth in good condition despite visible tartar and discoloration due to high consumption of chewing tobacco and black tea. However, children, unfortunately, showed very poor oral hygiene on average, with a significant number of cavities in both their milk and permanent teeth. We attributed this marked difference in oral health between generations to the increasing availability of sweets, as some of our young patients eagerly awaited their check-ups with a lollipop in hand. Besides providing treatments, we also aimed to raise awareness about oral hygiene and dental-friendly nutrition among children and parents, distributing toothbrushes and toothpaste to our young patients.

Our range of treatments included tartar removal, fluoride application, oral hygiene instructions, fillings, and extractions. Due to limited resources, we were unable to offer root canal treatments, prosthetic fittings, or more complex procedures such as wisdom tooth extractions. We referred these patients to Nepalese dental practices, which are available throughout the country and capable of performing more complex treatments and providing dental prostheses. However, many people, especially in remote areas, lack the time and financial means to visit a dentist regularly. As a result, by the time they sought treatment, their dental issues often had progressed significantly, making them appreciative of our free services. Through our treatments, we gradually gained insight into the health needs and challenges faced by Nepalese communities from a unique perspective.



Aside from our professional commitments, we also had the opportunity to experience the beauty and diversity of Nepal. From the lush forests of Chitwan National Park with its diverse wildlife (we even saw a tiger, such luck!) to the serene mountains of Salija, the country provided a breathtaking backdrop for our internship. While trekking, we exerted ourselves physically but were rewarded with stunning views of the snow-capped Himalayan peaks. A small highlight of our stay was also the Holi festival in Kathmandu, which coincided with our travel period. There, we joyfully celebrated the victory of good over evil and the beginning of spring by dousing ourselves in colorful powder alongside Nepalese locals – Holi essentially brings the country to a standstill due to its significance as a major festival.



Overall, our stay and treatments in Nepal were an unforgettable experience that profoundly influenced our professional and personal development. After a month of traveling on rugged gravel roads, nights spent in sleeping bags, and gaining insights into the often challenging lives and everyday problems of many Nepalese, we developed a deep gratitude for all the small luxuries we are accustomed to in Germany. Above all, we are grateful for the beautiful impressions and experiences we were fortunate to gather. The Nepalese people are among the friendliest we have encountered, and we were always warmly welcomed with great hospitality. Nikki from Healing Hands Nepal, who accompanied us locally and took care of all organizational matters, shared much about her fascinating country, and the team grew close to our hearts during our time there.

Thanks to United Smile e.V. for enabling us to undertake this internship and organizing everything! We had a wonderful time and will fondly remember it for years to come.