FAQ

1Where is Dentists for Africa operating?
DfA is currently operating exclusively in Kenya, especially in the west of the country.
2Who can do Voluntary Service?
Dentists, dental students, dental assistants, and dental technicians can assist in the dental project. In addition, helping hands are regularly needed for the sponsorship project, the widows' cooperative and the kindergarten.
3I would like to participate. What are the requirements?
Advanced English language skills are a must. Dental practitioners should know at least the basic dental terminology in English.

Dentists need a temporary work permit (license) for Kenya, which can be applied for at the Kenya Medical Practioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) before the start of the voluntary service. It is important to have this permit before arrival in Kenya. Our colleagues in Kenya will support you in getting the permit on time. For dental students, the service is only possible under the supervision and responsibility of a licensed dental mentor. A dentist can supervise a maximum of two students on site at a time.
4How can I travel to DfAs projects?
You can get to Nairobi, Kenyas capital, by plane. From there, the journey continues either by plane (to Kisumu, Eldoret) or car, depending on the location.
5Which flight should I take?
The destination airport is Nairobi. The choice of airline is up to you. The airline "KLM", for example, offers 2 x 23kg luggage included. The costs are 500-900 euros. If you book other airlines, you have to expect additional costs for luggage of 20-25 dollars for a connecting flight to Kisumu.
6How does the entry to Kenya work?
An e-visa must be applied for online in advance. There is no possibility to get a tourist visa upon arrival.
7Which vaccinations do I need?
In addition to all the usual vaccinations in Germany for people working in the healthcare sector, a vaccination against yellow fever is necessary, and eventually against malaria. We recommend you to consult a doctor for tropical diseases or a tropical institute. Currently, full vaccination against COVID-19 is also required.
8Which costs do I have to pay myself?
The costs to be borne by yourself include the visa, the flight, accommodation and food costs as well as private excursions. Additional costs can arise due to travel restrictions and quarantine. Practicing doctors will have to pay costs of over 100 euros for the work permit.
9Where can I stay?
You can stay in the guest houses of the hospitals or the convent of the Franciscan Sisters. The accommodation corresponds to youth hostel standard. Bedding is provided. The cost of accommodation is 10 euros per day including meals. Please bring a mosquito net for your own protection.
10What about the catering?
Three simple meals are usually served in the accommodation which is included in the above mentioned 10 Euros per day. You can buy additional food such as fruits and vegetables, etc. by yourself. The food is well tolerated by Europeans and vegetarian meals can be prepared on request. You have to buy water yourself.
11How is the security situation on site?
There are no security concerns if our guidelines are followed. However, we ask volunteers to stay in the guest houses after dark.
12How do I pay?
The Kenyan currency is the "Kenya Shilling" (KSh). 1 Euro is about 100 KSh. You can find the current exchange rate for example here.

Withdrawal is possible at banks or ATMs. Good exchange facilities are available at the airport.
13How do we communicate with each other?
It is mandatory for our volunteers to have a cell phone with them. Ideally, a prepaid sim card (Safaricom) is bought directly at the airport (about 2 euros). A bundle for internet/telephone costs about 10 euros. You can easily find possibilities to recharge.
14What treatments do you perform?
Our main focus is on the treatment of children. After screening at schools, children are taught prophylaxis. Children in need of treatment are treated in our dental units with scaling, fillings and extractions. In addition, mobile treatments are carried out in remote areas. Here, our staff treat patients in need who otherwise have no access to dental care. In our dental units, we mainly perform extractions and fillings for adults, but we also insert small prostheses that are fabricated in our laboratories.
Join us!

Dental Voluntary Services in Kenya


Dental voluntary services are possible for dentists, dental technologists and dental assistants. The minimum duration is two weeks. During your voluntary service you will work in one of the dental units that have been established by DfA, together with our Kenyan staff. The dental units are located in hospitals that are run by our project partners. They also serve as base for mobile outreach programs in far off, rural areas and prophylactic measures at local schools. Accommodation and food is provided in each of our stations.

    planed duration of the assignment in weeks:
    Profession
    There is room here for further comments, for example on desired locations, accompanying dental assistants or other fellow travelers, previous experience with relief missions abroad, etc.

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    Our Dental Units in Kenya

    Dental care for people in Kenya


    Our dental units are located in rural areas of western Kenya and the slums in the cities Nairobi and Nakuru. They are equipped with new air-controlled treatment units. The dental treatment spectrum includes conserving treatments, prophylaxis and dental surgery.
    An important addition everyday work in the dental practices are mobile outreach programs in remote areas. All necessary instruments and equipment such as a mobile treatment unit, autoclave and generator are packed and brought to the site by our team. These outreach programs are usually attended by a lot of patients and thus so that mainly pain treatments are carried out. Patients will then have the opportunity to visit the closest dental unit for further treatment.
    If you are interested: Please fill in our registration form. We will then contact you with detailed information.

    Erstes in Kürze.

    Unsere Zahnstationen in Kenia


    Unsere Zahnarztpraxen sind in den ländlichen Regionen Westkenias und den Slums der Großstädte Nairobi und Nakuru gelegen und mit neuen, luftgesteuerten Behandlungseinheiten ausgestattet. Das zahnmedizinische Behandlungsspektrum umfasst konservierende Behandlungsmaßnahmen, Prophylaxe und zahnärztliche Chirurgie.
    Neben der Arbeit in den Zahnarztpraxen ist der Arbeitsalltag in Kenia durch mobile Einsätze in entlegenen Regionen geprägt, die mehrmals wöchentlich stattfinden. Alle notwendigen Instrumente und Gerätschaften wie mobile Behandlungseinheit, Autoklav und Generator werden dazu eingepackt und gemeinsam mit dem Behandlungsteam zum Einsatzort gebracht. In der Regel besteht dort hoher Behandlungsbedarf, so dass vor allem Schmerzbehandlungen durchgeführt werden. Die Patienten haben dann die Möglichkeit zur Weiterbehandlung die Zahnstationen aufzusuchen.
    Bei Interesse: Füllen Sie bitte unser Anmeldeformular aus. Wir melden uns dann bei Ihnen mit ausführlichen Informationen zu Ihrem Einsatz in Kenia.