25 to be trained to provide dental health services in Reg 6
The first Dental Assistant Programme in Region Six (East Berbice-Corentyne) was on Saturday launched and will see 20 students being trained for one year.
These students hail from the riverine areas of Orealla, Sierra Acara, and Baracara. After completing their training, these pioneering dental assistants are expected to return to their communities to provide oral and dental health services.
During his keynote address, Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony informed the students that this is not just a one-off opportunity but a career path with potential for advancement in health-related fields.
Health Minister Dr Frank Anthony and other officials along with the selected students
He added that the Ministry will be adding two dental X-ray units in New Amsterdam and Port Mourant to expand service delivery. “Until recently, we didn’t have proper dental X-ray units. We have now brought in two units, one in New Amsterdam and one in Port Mourant.”
In closing, he indicated that the government is continuing to improve the healthcare system for better service delivery.
The students who will undergo the Dental Assistant Programme
“We are working to improve the system, not only by adding chairs but by making qualitative improvements in imaging and diagnosis. You will continue to see these kinds of improvements.”
Meanwhile, the Principal Dental Officer at the Ministry of Health, Dr Marvin Monize, congratulated the region on being the first to be inducted into the decentralised Dental Assistant Programme in the country.
Among those present at this historic launch were the Regional Chairman of Region Six, David Armogan; the Regional Executive Officer, Narindra Persaud; the Director General of the MoH, Dr Vishwa Mahadeo; the Regional Health Officer (RHO), Dr Vishalya Sharma among others.
