Minister of Health, Honourable Dr Frank Anthony, Saturday reaffirmed Government’s commitment to advancing oral and dental health services nationwide, as he addressed dental professionals gathered for the 2025 Dental Auxiliary Conference, held under the theme “Building Thriving Dental Practices for the Future.” The event, hosted at the Mirage Banquet Hall, Brickdam, brought together dental practitioners, auxiliary staff, and stakeholders from across the country to discuss innovations, challenges, and the future of dental care in Guyana. In his feature address, Dr Anthony commended the Dental Health Services and the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre for organising the annual conference, which provides a vital platform for professional networking and knowledge sharing. The Minister highlighted the remarkable progress made in strengthening Guyana’s dental infrastructure and modernising oral health services. He pointed to the complete transformation of the Cheddi Jagan Dental School, which now features state-of-the-art equipment, improved clinical spaces, and an in-house pharmacy. “We have been working steadfastly to improve the infrastructure that we have. Today, the Cheddi Jagan Dental School represents the kind of environment we want to replicate in every region-centres of excellence that deliver quality, modern dental care,” Dr Anthony said.
He also outlined the Ministry’s steps toward digital dentistry, including the introduction of electronic patient records at the Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC). This system, expected to be fully operational by early 2026, will allow seamless access to patient information across health facilities.
Dr Anthony further noted the introduction of Computer Aided Design and Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) systems cutting-edge technology that allows for same day dental restorations such as crowns, improving patient experience and clinical outcomes. “This is the future of dentistry…digital, efficient, and patient-centred. With CAD/CAM systems, procedures that once took weeks can now be completed in an hour,” he stated. The Minister also highlighted the success of the school health programme, which includes dental screenings for students entering nursery, primary, and secondary levels. More than 60,000 nursery and primary school students have already been screened under this initiative, aimed at promoting early detection and prevention of oral and developmental health issues. The Ministry of Health continues to prioritise the expansion of dental departments in all new and existing regional hospitals, ensuring that modern, patient-centred oral health services are accessible across Guyana.
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