COUNTRY: India
PROGRAM: UniBreak
PROJECT: Dentistry
WRITTEN BY: Thiviya Sivapatham and Elke Rijks
Namaste! Last year we; Thiviya & Elke two Dental students from the University of Western Australia, decided to take the plunge and volunteer with Antipodeans Abroad for 4 weeks in India over the summer break. After two years of clinical preparation we were interested for some practical experience, and a change of scenery.
Anyone who has been to India would say it’s a culture shock, but nothing can truly prepare you for it. As if the climate change wasn’t enough to adjust to, our senses were overwhelmed by the smog, the vast array of smells, colors and sights. On our arrival in Dehli, we met four of our housemates and together slowly made our way up to Palampur, Himachal Pradesh a ‘short’ 12 hour drive up north. It quickly became apparent to us that driving in India is certainly a skill. Giving way, using indicators, driving in your lane, adhering to speed limits and stopping for red lights appeared to be optional. Honking every 5 minutes, however, seemed to be a must! The differences between the busy streets of city life in Dehli and Palampur were great. Palampur truly is postcard perfect.
The snow-capped Himalayas were in view, the air was clean, nature was in abundance and serenity was found! Our team of 12 entailed of 4 nursing students, 4 health science students, 3 speechies and the two of us. We all came to India prepared to rough it out, but instead we enjoyed the hospitality and comforts provided by our host, Bobby ji, one of our coordinators, the local dentist and tea plantation owner and his super cute family. Amit ji our other coordinator would come and visit often joining us for meals, weekend trips (which were amazing going to places such as Armritsar, Manali, climbing the Himalayas and Mcleod Ganj) and was always a mere phone call away. The bonds that were formed with everyone on the trip is something we hold close to our hearts.
Daily life in Palampur consisted of everyone assembling upstairs in the rooftop dining room for cooked breakfast, prepared by our two personal chefs, after which we would all scramble to catch the local bus before going to our separate placements. For us, our first two weeks were spent at Panchrukhi Government Hospital shadowing the dentist and his hygienist. In India, everyone welcomes you into their family. Every staff member in the hospital would greet us with a huge smile invite us for dinner and make small talk over chai. Although that was a little difficult at times due to the language barrier. We soon learnt when in doubt just do the head nod. On the front of dentistry let’s just say that public dental care is not vast, their policy is simple: “if it hurts take it out.”
We saw on average 4 extractions a day for people who either didn’t want it restored or could not afford to; an anterior filling costing 100rhp (AUD$2!). Personal protective barriers are unlike ours, gloves and instruments were washed under the tap, due to limited funds. We were fortunate enough to go on two health camps with the hospital team, which consisted of going to government schools, and each practitioner having their own station to do health checks.
The afternoons were spent having lunch at our favorite cafes/restaurants, in town, and trying on sarees and kurti tops. In our third week we shadowed our host Bobby ji who is a private dentist in Palampur, and has his own practice. Most appointments again involved extractions or RCTs. The fourth and final week of our stay was probably most hands on for everyone, as all 12 of us were travelling to local schools and village camps together to teach the kids about general health and in our case oral health. Having generously received 4 boxes of toothbrush kits with small toothpaste tubes and stacks of stickers and calendars thanks to the generous help of UWA staff, we attempted to teach 5 year old Indian kids who spoke little to no English how and when to brush their teeth, it was entertaining and hopefully beneficial. Everyone was extremely enthusiastic, smiling and asking us questions of which we understood little.
As a whole the four weeks of our dental placement in Palamupur was an amazing experience and one we will certainly never forget, we are already planning our return trip when funds permit!!
10 random cool things about India:
1.Garlic naan, 2. Chai (masala) tea, 3. Sarees, 4. Indian men who turn up Justin Bieber on the bus when 10 “white” girls get on and stare shamelessly, 5. Bollywood movies, 6. Beautiful landscapes, 7. Locals who laugh at you when you’re lost but will eventually help you, 8. Cheap & yummy food!, 9 random marriage proposals form mothers for their son’s in Delhi and 10. Shah Rukh Khan
We encourage anyone who has ever thought about volunteering to do it, because it will be the most rewarding and memorable experience of your life.
Thiviya Sivapatham & Elke Rijks
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