From Bangkok to Boston: Dental students from around the world visit GSDM as part of International Externship Exchange Program

The Henry M. Goldman School of Dental Medicine (GSDM) welcomed students and faculty from six dental schools around the world this summer as part of the International Externship Exchange Program (IEEP). Through this program, select GSDM fourth-year Doctor of Dental Medicine (DMD) students visit schools in China, India, Japan, Thailand, South Korea, and the United Kingdom; in exchange, select faculty and students from those institutions also visit GSDM. The program offers the opportunity to experience different models of dental education and learn how other countries deliver health care.

“We were truly thrilled to welcome the groups from Thailand, China (SJUCS and PKUSS), India, Japan and the United Kingdom to GSDM this summer,” Dean Jeffrey W. Hutter said. “The IEEP continues to provide students both at GSDM and at dental schools around the world with important and eye-opening experiences.”

All six visiting groups had the opportunity to learn about patient care in a dental school Patient Treatment Center in the United States by observing clinical procedures and touring GSDM facilities. Each group participated in sightseeing activities and attended a dinner in honor of their respective school, where they were presented with a BU pin and hat, and book about Boston.

Read on for some highlights from the six groups’ visits to GSDM.

Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University, in Bangkok, Thailand

Four students and a professor from the Faculty of Dentistry, Chulalongkorn University (FDCU) in Bangkok, Thailand, kicked off the summer by visiting GSDM from Thursday, May 30, 2019 to Thursday, June 6, 2019. The group observed clinical procedures, learned about oral healthcare in the United States, and participated in a hands-on session in the Simulation Learning Center (SLC). Visitors spent time touring Boston, including kayaking on the Charles River, salsa dancing, and eating all the delicious food that Boston has to offer.

During their visit, Chulalongkorn University students gave a presentation titled “Dentistry: free samples!” in which they highlighted unique programs that FDCU offers to prospective applicants to introduce them to dental education.

To see photos from the FDCU visit, click here.

Peking University School of Stomatology (PKUSS)

A mere three days after the students from FDCU had departed Boston, the next group—students and a faculty member from the Peking University School of Stomatology (PKUSS) in Beijing, China—arrived for their visit, which spanned from Sunday, June 9, 2019 to Friday, June 21, 2019.

The two students and one faculty member from PKUSS observed in the Patient Treatment Center, learned about a wide range of topics related to U.S. oral healthcare, and participated in some hands-on learning at the SLC. They also explored the city of Boston, including shopping at the outlets, touring Harvard Square, and visiting the North End and Faneuil Hall.

For more photos from the PKUSS visit, click here.

Tokyo Medical and Dental University

The third group of students to visit GSDM this summer came from Tokyo Medical and Dental University (TMDU) in Tokyo, Japan. From Friday, June 14, 2019 until Sunday, June 23, 2019, four students and a professor learned the ins and outs of a dental school in the U.S.—touring facilities, learning about the group practice model, and observing clinical procedures. Additionally, Dr. Shinji Kuroda, a professor in the Department of Oral Implantology and Regenerative Dental Medicine at the Tokyo Medical and Dental University presented on “Bone Regeneration: Potency of Somatic Stem Cells for Osteogenesis” on June 17, 2019.
The students spent time sightseeing around Boston, catching a Red Sox game at Fenway Park, visiting the New England Aquarium, and touring the fort at Castle Island.

See photos from the TMDU visit here.

Shanghai Jiao Tong University College School of Stomatology (SJUCS)

Rounding out the IEEP visits in June were the students and faculty from the Shanghai Jiao Tong University College of Stomatology, who arrived Monday, June 17, 2019 from Shanghai, China and stayed until Saturday, June 29, 2019. The two students and professor observed clinical procedures, participated in hands-on learning in the SLC, and explored digital dentistry. On Tuesday, June 25, 2019, Dr. Huijuan Cheng, professor at the College of Stomatology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, gave a presentation to the GSDM community on their school’s approach to clinical prosthodontic care.

The group also had the opportunity to explore life off campus, and participated in sightseeing activities including a duck tour, visiting Harvard University, and touring the Museum of Fine Arts.

For more photos, click here.

Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University

Kicking off the July visits were four students and a professor from the Manipal College of Dental Sciences, Manipal University, in Manipal, India, who visited from Sunday, June 30, 2019, to Saturday, July 13, 2019. Like the groups before them, the visitors observed procedures in the Patient Treatment Center and tried their hand at activities in the SLC; they also participated in a walking tour of the South End with Kathy Lituri, oral health promotion director in the Office of Global and Population Health.

On Tuesday, July 9, 2019, Dr. Monica Charlotte Solomon, Professor and Head, Department of Oral Pathology and Microbiology at the Manipal College of Dental Sciences at Manipal University, gave a presentation titled “Unraveling the Mysteries of Paramount Oral Disease,” to members of the GSDM community. Solomon also attended GSDM’s White Coat Ceremony on Saturday, July 6, 2019, as an honored guest.

Outside of the classroom, visiting students and faculty explored the North End, celebrated the Fourth of July, went on a whale watch, and spent time with GSDM DMD AS students and faculty who had previously graduated from or worked at Manipal University.

For more photos, click here.

University of Manchester Division of Dentistry

From Saturday, July 27, 2019 to Sunday, August 11, 2019, four students and a professor from the University of Manchester, Division of Dentistry in Manchester, United Kingdom, visited GSDM. The last group to visit, they took part in clinical observations, attended lectures on health care in the United States, and participated in a hands-on session in the SLC. On Monday, August 5, 2019, Dr. Evgeny Kushnerev, NIHR Academic Clinical Lecturer and Registrar in Oral Surgery, University of Manchester, Division of Dentistry, gave a presentation titled “Dental Pulp Stem Cells: Applied Science” to members of the GSDM community.

In addition, the visitors were able to explore the Greater Boston area—they attended a whale watch, Red Sox game, toured the city of Cambridge and walked the Freedom Trail.

To see more photos from their visit, click here.