MoH mulls continued medical education as criterion for renewal of dentist licences

The Health Ministry will soon convene a meeting with the Guyana Dental Council (GDC) to examine and discuss possible amendments to the current law governing dental practitioners in Guyana.
Health Minister, Dr Frank Anthony said one prime consideration is the implementation of Continued Medical Education (CME), as part of a mandate for the renewal of their annual licences.
CMEs are educational activities aimed at maintaining and increasing the knowledge, skills and professional performance that a physician uses to provide services for patients and the public. Dr Anthony contended that making CMEs compulsory is one way of raising the standards of dentistry in Guyana.
This position arose at the opening of the annual Dental Convention held at the Pegasus Suites and Corporate Centre in Kingston, where the Minister stressed that equitable healthcare and services are paramount in Guyana’s healthcare sector.
He assured that the Government of Guyana remains fully committed to expanding dental care and oral health services across the ten administrative regions, especially at a primary healthcare level.
“Over the last two or three years, we have invested a lot of resources, making sure that in every region we have competent persons who will be able to deliver care. And just this year, we would have added 33 new dental chairs in various areas in every region,” he said.
While emphasising the importance of good dental health, the Minister said that through the newly launched Comprehensive Child and Youth School Health Screening Programme, some 208,000 children in schools are expected to benefit from general and specialised screening, including dental health throughout their school life.
“Over a child’s school year, he or she will be screened at least 3 times; Through regular screening, we will be able to grow them (children) in a healthy environment and inculcate healthy habits because the biggest challenge of non-communicable diseases still affects us and therefore if we start early by teaching them the right thing, we can affect the life course and how they live,” it was outlined.
Dr Anthony pledged that the Ministry will continue to seek out its international partners and discuss possible collaborations for training in areas that are specific to the field of dentistry.
One month ago, it was announced that the Cheddi Jagan Dental School will be modernised as the Health Ministry is seeking to transform the institution into a reference centre by integrating technology and increasing resources for improved services.
With these investments, patients will experience enhanced dental treatment, care, and related operations.