The first two weeks of my exchange in Rio de Janeiro have blown me away. My vocational placement is at ServDent, a dental clinic in Bangu that Dr. Andre Pimentel founded and has run since 2003. Here, I have had the pleasure of shadowing his work in various areas of dentistry including prosthodontics, endodontics, orthodontics, and oral surgery. Through this experience, I have developed a deeper understanding of dentistry by observing how Dr. Andre approaches complex cases, diagnosing problems, explaining treatment plans, and carrying out procedures. His approach to patient care is incredibly warm and personal, reflecting the strong sense of community I have encountered in Bangu. It’s interesting to compare his style with what I have seen in Canada.
The staff at ServDent have been very welcoming, and their kindness and banter have made it an enjoyable environment for learning. They have taught me about Brazil’s healthcare system, where public and private services operate alongside each other. Comparing their system and challenges with Canada’s has shown me how policy and economic factors shape access to treatment and delivery of care. I look forward to deepening my understanding through continued conversations and carrying these lessons with me as I pursue a future in healthcare.
Beyond the clinic, I have had many opportunities to soak in the beauty of Rio. I used my first two days here to solo travel, during which I checked several things off my bucket list. I explored the historic streets of Centro, walked along Copabana beach, watched a football match in the legendary Maracanã Stadium, hiked the Two Brothers Mountain to see the sunrise, and immersed myself in the ambiance of Pedro do Sal. I have been spending a great part of my evenings and weekends outside. Brazilians love football and the outdoors, so it’s never hard to join in with people playing at the beach or local park. As someone who grew up loving football, it has been surreal experiencing Brazil’s football culture firsthand and seeing how communities are brought together by the beautiful game.
Lastly, being hosted by the Pimentel family has been such a pleasure. I have felt like part of the family since day one, and they have included me in all their traditions and outings. I have been able to authentically experience Brazilian culture by joining in with their daily lives, and through the delicious cultural food we share at the dining table. Their hospitality has been remarkable and is greatly appreciated, and Bangu now feels like a second home.
Photo #1: The sunrise from the top of the Two Brothers Mountain. On the left, you can see Christ the Redeemer overlooking the south zone of Rio. In the center is Rodrigo de Freitas Lagoon which is shaped like a heart, with Sugarloaf Mountain peeking out from behind. On the right, but slightly out of frame, would be Ipanema and Copacabana beach. In the distance is Guanabara Bay which feeds into the Atlantic Ocean.
Photo #2: Here is a picture of Dr. Andre Pimentel and I holding a Canadian flag in front of the ServDent clinic.
Photo #3: Here is a picture I took with some friends I met from Montreal after we played futsal with some of the local kids.