Dental Hygienists Working Abroad

Dental hygienists who are citizens of the United States and who wish to practice dental hygiene abroad should consider the following information. Working abroad for a U.S. owned company, the U.S. government or the military may be different than working internationally for a privately owned dental practice. U.S. owned companies, the U.S. government, and the U.S. military will more closely follow mainland dental hygiene practices and procedures and may not require special licensure arrangements. Good Internet resources for living and working abroad include the U.S. Department of State: www.State.gov that outlines many very important issues to consider. Another source that contains dental hygiene practice-related information for many countries is the International Federation of Dental Hygienists: www.ifdh.org. A third source: www.embassy.org contains information on approximately 170 countries that will provide you with general background data.

Learn About the Country
When contemplating foreign employment, learn as much about the host country that you wish to visit as possible including its history, culture, customs and its population. Knowledge of the country’s main language may be an important aspect since English, while spoken in many places, may not be spoken by the clients you serve. Dental employers may require your enrollment in a foreign language course if you are not fluent in the language of the country or the primary language spoken in that practice setting. Contact the embassy of the country you are interested in visiting via the Internet. If you do not have access to the Web, local libraries often provide access to their patrons in addition to maintaining lists of foreign embassies and consulates. Consulate offices are maintained in many of the major cities outside of Washington, D.C. area and will be listed in the local telephone directories.

Laws & Regulations
You should inquire about the regulations that apply to working abroad in the country as well as about the practice of dental hygiene. For example, almost every country will require that you obtain a visa in addition to a work permit. The visa will be required ahead of time through the embassy or consulate; the work permit may or may not be required prior to your departure. Many countries have laws similar to those in the U.S. that govern the practice of dental hygiene and in turn will require you to obtain the credentials needed in order to practice.

Passport
A valid passport is a first step in the process. You may obtain a passport through Federal or state courts, U.S. Post Offices that accept applications or through passport agencies. The applications will outline what documents are needed to obtain a passport. Your passport is extremely valuable and should be kept in a safe place. It is recommended that you register at the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate once you arrive for emergency purposes and to have your passport data on file in case of theft or loss.

Health
Check that your health insurance will cover you while living abroad. Certain countries require immunizations, HIV/AIDS testing. Medication should be left in original containers and copies of the prescription(s) for medications or eyeglasses should be obtained.

Driving
There may be restrictions in driving in some countries. You should find out what type of driver’s license is required and check with your insurance agent to determine if and to what degree you are covered while driving in a foreign country.

U.S. Elections
You can register to vote by absentee ballot in all Federal elections and should apply as early as possible to do so. You may be able to register to vote in state and local elections and should investigate the regulations governing this prior to leaving the U.S. Contact your state legislator’s office for absentee balloting information and an application.

Licensure & Continuing Education
Your U.S. dental hygiene license(s) should be kept up to date. If you live in a state or hold licensure in states that require continuing professional education you should be aware of what is needed and obtain course descriptions to provide verification to the state authority. ADHA offers continuing-education courses through the Journal of Dental Hygiene and our Web site: www.adha.org.

Finance
U.S. citizens working abroad are still subject to U.S. taxes and may be subject to taxes in the foreign country of residence. The Internal Revenue Service has a series of publications regarding financial matters of interest for citizens living abroad. Contact a local IRS office or write to the Forms Distribution Center, P.O. Box 35866, Richmond, VA 23289. Their Website is: www.irs.gov.

ADHA Membership
Your ADHA membership provides numerous benefits. It represents your voice in the United States and internationally regarding issues such as quality of care, licensure, access to care, educational standards, and research as well as providing you with publications, access to malpractice insurance and continuing education courses. Be sure to update your membership and include your new address so that materials are sent to you abroad! Contact the Division of Members Services at (312) 440-8900 or utilize the ADHA Website for membership information.