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Rebuilding Dental Education in Gaza
The ongoing conflict in the Gaza Strip has severely impacted the healthcare system, resulting in no access to education including clinical placements for dental students. In response to this crisis, PalMed Academy, in collaboration with Refugee Crisis Foundation, a UK registered charity, is launching an educational support program for the 1,500 dental students from Gaza. This initiative aims to provide these students with the necessary resources, clinical training, evaluation, and opportunities to advance their education and ultimately become the future dental healthcare workforce in the Gaza Strip.
There are a total of 1,500 dental students in Gaza who have been left without access to the essential clinical training required to complete their studies. We are working directly with the Deans of the Al Azhar University and the Palestine University of Gaza Dental Schools to deliver theoretical and clinical teaching. Theoretical teaching will be provided online using resources from dental schools in the UK. To complete clinical training, we will be renting functioning dental clinics and providing the required materials and instruments. This will give the students the opportunity to complete their clinical training and will also provide free dental treatment to the Gazans in need. Due to the high number of students, we will be building semi-permanent structures for clinical training and treatment.
Dental Students from Gaza:
- Two Universities Al Azhar and Palestine University.
- 5- Year Undergraduate Program
- This Program is supported and accredited by the Deans of Both universities.
- Dental degrees will be awarded by the respective dental schools in Gaza.
- Approximately 20% of Students displaced outside of Gaza
There are three components to this program:
1. Online Education:
- Develop and implement an online platform tailored to deliver the dental curriculum with pre-recorded lectures.
- This has already received support from UK dental universities who will provide online lectures that students in Gaza can access.
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2. Clinical Training:
- Without access to functioning dental clinics, the students cannot complete the clinical training required to qualify.
- By renting existing clinics and building new clinics, we can ensure that these students get the clinical experience they need while providing free dental care to the local community.
- The dental schools have been destroyed and we will rebuild the facilities in close partnership and with the help of local and international charities.
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3. Simulation lab:
- The phantom head simulation labs is crucial for teaching basic and advanced clinical skills. Phantom heads allow students to practice procedures safely before working on real patients. The existing phantom head labs in Gaza have been destroyed, and we need your help to rebuild.
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Your donations will not only support these students but will also strengthen the healthcare system in Gaza by producing skilled, qualified dentists who can serve their communities.
How Your Donations Will Be Used:
- Dental Clinics: Your contribution will go towards renting functioning dental clinics and the construction of fully equipped dental clinics where students can treat patients as part of their training. Patients will receive free dental treatment. A total of 493 dental students will be able to complete their clinical training.
- Phantom Head Simulation Lab: Funds will also support the creation of a simulation lab where students can practise dental procedures on simulators. A total of 316 dental students will have access to start their clinical training in a simulated lab.
- Supplies, Salaries and Equipment: Funds will be used to provide essential dental instruments, materials, clinical supervisor salaries and educational resources for the students to use in their training.
Initial cost of rebuilding clinical dental training:
 | Number of clinical students in Gaza | Cost | Total Cost |
Dental clinics | 285 Year 4 students 208 Year 5 students | Dental chair: $1000 per dental chair/ month Quantity: 30 Â | $30,000 per month |
Phantom head simulation centre | 316 Year 3 students | Phantom head: $4200 Quantity: 20 Training facility $16,000 | $100,000 Â |
Supplies, Trainers and equipment | For all year 3,4 and 5 | Consumables $15,000/ month Payment for Trainers $45,000/ month | $60,000/ month |
 |  | Total cost | $1,180,000 |
Projected Cost:
 | Year 1 | Year 2 | Year 3 |
Dental clinics | $360,000 | $360,000 | $360,000 |
Phantom head simulation centre | $100,000 | $60,000 | $60,000 |
Supplies, trainers and equipment | $720,000 | $720,000 | $720,000 |
Total cost | $1,180,000 | $1,140,000 | Â $1,140,000 Â |
The Impact:
By donating, you’re not just supporting students — you’re helping rebuild a dental healthcare system that has been devastated by conflict. You’re investing in the education of future dental professionals who will serve their communities and provide much-needed care to people who have limited access to oral healthcare.