The University of Guyana yesterday unveiled its brand-new, state-of-the-art dental training clinic and laboratory that is designed to accommodate a larger number of students and provide free services for members of the public.
One of the dental chairs at the lab
Once able to accommodate only six dentistry students, the University of Guyana is now able to train 15 additional students at the new dental training clinic and laboratory.
The project was undertaken with support from the Greater Guyana Initiative — a $20 billion investment by the Stabroek Block co-venturers ExxonMobil Guyana, Hess Guyana Exploration, and CNOOC Petroleum Guyana. Spanning ten years, this initiative supports capacity development programmes across Guyana, expanding on existing efforts and reflecting the co-venturers’ long-term commitment to advancing Guyana’s growth and development.
During the ribbon-cutting ceremony for the new lab and clinic on Thursday, Vice Chancellor of the University of Guyana, Professor Paloma Mohammed, spoke about the benefits of the new facility.
UG Vice Chancellor Professor Paloma Mohammed and various officials
“This clinic is going to not only train more dentists, but it’s also going to train more university students, providing dental services that might be free or that they may pay very little for. It’s also going to attract paediatric dentistry, because we have a School of Orthodontics that caters to a lot of children,” she noted.
Professor Mohammed revealed that the University of Guyana is working on a programme to donate three dentistry chairs to other regions of Guyana.
“We’re also working on the design for a community project, so we have three additional chairs. One of them is going to go to our campus in Berbice, and two of them will be sent to other communities,” she said.
Zoe Perreira, Director of the School of Dentistry, in speaking at the ribbon-cutting ceremony, noted that this investment would help produce well-trained professionals for the workforce.
“In 2008, we had 33 registered dentists in the country. Now, with 114 more, the expansion of facilities and clinical equipment was needed. Our school is growing and the reach for students is not just in Guyana,” she said.
“Equipping our students with hands-on facilities and equipment will provide us with well-rounded students. It’s good to know that you can close your eyes, and they will be fine,” she added.
Perreira also noted that the lab is equipped with a special room for patients who are petrified or traumatized by past dental experiences, as well as those who suffer from severe anxiety.
Separate from the others, this room caters to their needs.
“For those who need additional assistance, we can provide that for them. This is a way to ensure that every single person, no matter what they have going on in their life, will be treated no differently,” she declared.
“I have adults who come and say, ‘Oh, I had a really bad experience when I was a child, and I never want to do this again.’ This new room is for those people. So, it’s not just for children; it can be for adults who have severe anxiety or fear. The hope is that when they start getting dental treatment, they’ll realize it’s not so bad, and they’ll begin to come out and be integrated…,” she revealed.
