Global perspective: Dental students complete inaugural international externship in Thailand

Fourth-year dental students (in pink scrubs, from left) Brooke Ellis, Kathy Tran, Celeste Del Pilar, and Bridget Hibbler took part in a weeklong international externship over Dec. 14-21 at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand.

Four UTHealth Houston School of Dentistry students expanded their global perspective on dental education and patient care during a weeklong international externship at Mahidol University in Bangkok, Thailand, in December 2025.

Fourth-year dental students Celeste Del Pilar, Brooke Ellis, Bridget Hibbler, and Kathy Tran traveled to Thailand over Dec. 14-21, accompanied by Robert Spears, PhD, associate dean for student and academic affairs at the School of Dentistry, and Sudarat Kiat-amnuay DDS, MS, director of strategic training and academic affairs at UTHealth Houston and a professor in the dental school’s Department of General Practice and Dental Public Health.

The visit marked the first time School of Dentistry students participated in an outbound international experience through the International Scholar Training Program.

“This marked the first time we were able to send our students abroad,” Spears said. “While we’ve welcomed students from Thailand and other countries to Houston, this experience allowed our students to serve as ambassadors for the School of Dentistry on an international stage.”

While at Mahidol University’s Faculty of Dentistry, students spent three days observing clinical education across multiple specialties, including advanced general dentistry, pediatric dentistry, oral and maxillofacial surgery, and occlusion. Because the visit was observational, students focused on learning clinical workflows, educational structures, and differences in patient care models.

Students observed advanced restorative procedures, removable partial denture framework try-ins, pediatric behavior management techniques, and complex surgical cases. They also attended lectures, participated in discussions with faculty and administrators, and met with institutional leaders to explore opportunities for future collaboration.

Ellis said the experience broadened her and her classmates’ understanding of how cultural values and health care systems shape dental education and patient care.

“Seeing how dental education is structured in another country helped us better appreciate both the differences and the shared principles that guide patient care,” Ellis said. “We saw strong faculty mentorship, integrated specialty training, and a collaborative approach that emphasized compassion and trust — values that translate across cultures.”

Students also observed how Thailand’s centralized university hospital system and structured faculty mentorship contrasted with the insurance-driven model commonly seen in the United States, offering new perspectives on clinical autonomy and access to specialty care.

Following their time in Bangkok, the group traveled to Chiang Mai, where they visited an orthodontic clinic and met with administrators involved in developing a new dental school. The visit included discussions about curriculum development, international partnerships, and future opportunities for student exchange.

In addition to academic programming, students participated in cultural experiences, including temple visits, local markets, and regional excursions, which helped deepen their understanding of how cultural context influences health care delivery and patient expectations.

Spears said the externship supports the school’s broader goal of expanding global engagement opportunities for students.

“It’s all about globalization for the School of Dentistry and providing our students with exposure to different training models and cultures,” Spears said. “We want them to see how dentistry is practiced around the world.”

The four students were selected through a competitive application process, with fourth-year students chosen to represent the school due to their clinical experience and readiness for international engagement.

The trip was funded through the UTHealth Houston Office of International Education, which covered airfare and housing for participants.

After returning, the students presented their experience to Dean John A. Valenza, DDS, and university leadership on Feb. 16, highlighting differences in clinical education, opportunities for collaboration, and lessons learned.

Spears said the school plans to continue offering international externships annually, with Thailand expected to remain a destination for future cohorts.

“We hope to send students each year and eventually expand to additional countries as funding allows,” Spears said.

As the School of Dentistry continues expanding global partnerships, the inaugural externship reflects a growing commitment to international collaboration, cultural competency, and preparing future dentists for an increasingly interconnected profession.