After a recent volunteering trip to Cambodia with charity Dentaid, dentist Nikki Choong talks about how it can help dental professionals develop empathy and resilience.
How was your volunteering trip to Cambodia?
Incredible, eye-opening, heartbreaking, and deeply rewarding. We spent one week inside a Cambodian prison and another visiting rural village schools – two completely contrasting worlds, yet both filled with patients in desperate need of care. We saw over 1300 patients as a team, with over 680 extractions and 350 fillings. We worked long days with no air-con, no suction, sometimes using school desks as dental chairs and patients spitting into cups. Despite the physical strain – back pain, shoulder pain, sweat pouring down – it was worth every second.
Cambodia stole my heart. The people were so hospitable, grateful, full of love and welcoming, even though many had so little. The language barrier was huge at times, but somehow compassion, patience and smiles allowed us to still make a real difference.
What was the best bit about volunteering?
Sign in to continue reading
Free access to our premium content:
- Clinical content
- In-depth analysis
- Features, reports, videos and more
By joining, you’re helping to support independent, quality journalism that keeps dental professionals informed and empowered – and allowing us to keep delivering the insights you value most.
