A commitment to collaboration: how U of T advances training for dentistry students in Africa

By Rachel Boutet

Eight years ago, assistant professor Joel Rosenbloom taught Kemer in Ethiopia through the Toronto Addis Ababa Academic Collaboration (TAAAC). During his visit this fall, Rosenbloom got to witness Kemer as chief resident during maxillectomy surgery for squamous cell carcinoma at Black Lion Hospital, the largest of its kind in Addis Ababa.

“It was a full circle moment,” says Rosenbloom, who is also the TAAAC program director and the director of student life at the Faculty. “This is the impact of programs like this. We don’t go on these trips simply to teach and leave. We leverage the vast knowledge these students already have and help train them to eventually become self-sustaining.”

TAAAC is a non-for profit partnership supported by the leadership of Ethiopia’s Addis Ababa University (AAU) and the University of Toronto, with 11 participating faculties, institutes and divisions. U of T Dentistry entered the collaboration in 2014.

This year, DDS4 students Rajbir Sidhu and Ocarina Zheng were selected for the program where they were able to enhance peer-to-peer learning in endodontics, prosthodontics, dental anaesthesia, pediatric and restorative dentistry, and participate in hands-on preclinical exercises.

“Dr. Rosenbloom is the head coach of the Dental Hockey Club and I had heard stories about TAAAC through him and other students,” says Sidhu. “I quickly realized it was completely different than other collaborations. It wasn’t providing a short-term solution like a filling for a patient you might never see again, but instead helping these students work toward being exceptional dental professionals.”

It’s a two-way learning; we learned so much from them. They are exceptional students working with way less.

Zheng also credits Rosenbloom as a big part of the reason she became interested in participating.

“I worked closely with Dr. Rosenbloom through the Faculty’s noma action group and learned about the public health challenges in Africa,” she says. “My work in noma advocacy sparked a passion for public speaking and global health outreach. From my past mission trips, I knew that hearing about something and seeing it in person is completely different, so I was eager to immerse myself in Ethiopia.”

During their two-week long trip, Sidhu and Zheng spent the majority of their time teaching 20 first-year students and 15 dental interns, as well as participating in clinical supervision, helping with triage and providing guidance. Sidhu says while they were able to educate the AAU students, the experience was also very much an exchange of knowledge.

With first and fourth-year dental students on the last day of class and Dean Dr. Daniel Shukare (front left)

“We were able to see how they perform surgeries in a completely different environment with often fewer resources,” he says. “It’s a two-way learning; we learned so much from them. They are exceptional students working with way less. They may not have the latest material or equipment, but their techniques are really impressive. We are just helping them build an educational infrastructure where they can make great change in the community.”

Sidhu also noted the impact Zheng’s presence had on the female students.

“It’s a very male-dominated profession in Ethiopia, so seeing a female do this was empowering for them and gave them a role model,” he says.

Zheng and Sidhu both reflect on their last teaching afternoon as their fondest memory of their time, where the students wanted to take a picture and gave them a special thank you.

“They gave us all traditional Ethiopian scarves as a thank you, and you could see on their faces how much the two weeks meant to them,” she says. “I remember telling the students how hard working and smart they were, and that they could do anything they wanted, and they looked at me in disbelief. When I told them they have the drive and skills to make it happen, I saw their eyes light up. In that moment, I was really able to step back, feel our impact, and see why this program is so important. We are helping to empower them. It was a deeply moving highlight of the trip that will stay with me.”

The TAAAC experience has helped guide both DDS students with their post-graduation plans. Sidhu hopes to work in private practice where he can continue to improve his skills set and keep in mind the need to care for a patient as a person beyond just their teeth.

As for Zheng, she’s aspiring to enter a dental anaesthesia graduate specialty program.

“My ultimate goal is to provide dental care for those who need it most,” she says. “And maybe one day, I can return to Addis Ababa and help give more in that capacity as well.”

Top photo: The last day of class, wearing scarves gifted by the first-year students