MOH to expand modern dentistry in Guyana

– as new dental simulation and digital labs launched

The Ministry of Health is pushing forward with plans to modernise dentistry nationwide, following Friday’s commissioning of the new Dental Simulation and Dental 3D Digital Lab at the Cheddi Jagan Dental School.
Delivering keynote remarks at the opening ceremony, Minister of Health Dr Frank Anthony revealed that discussions are underway with major international partners to expand the use of next-generation dental technology in Guyana. According to the Minister, engagements have already begun with a global industry leader in dental equipment, with hopes that formal collaboration will be secured in the new year. He expressed optimism that the partner – one of the world’s largest suppliers of advanced dental machinery – can be encouraged to visit Guyana soon to support ongoing transformation efforts.

“I’m very pleased that we are leading in this direction and that we are breaking new ceilings, if you like, frontiers, so that we can make sure that we’re always training our students with the most up-to-date technology there is. We have also, during this year, been talking to a number of other partners, and I’m hoping that in the new year, that we can build some new relationships and that we can even advance further with newer technology in dentistry. We have been talking to one of the big companies that does all kinds of equipment and different things in dentistry, and hopefully we’ll get them to come to Guyana and to work with us. So, the future of dentistry, I would say, is very progressive and bright,” the Minister disclosed.
Dr Anthony noted that the vision for the institution today reflects a dramatic shift from what once existed. Years ago, he said, the school did not meet the standard Guyana required for both service delivery and medical training. This realisation, he added, triggered deliberate, sustained action to re-engineer the institution into a dual-purpose national asset – one that offers quality care while producing a workforce trained at a world-class level.

Dental simulation and digital labs
The Dental Simulation Lab represents a transformative upgrade in Guyana’s dental education infrastructure. Equipped with 15 advanced dental simulators, the facility will support hands-on, competency-based training for dental therapists (Dentex) and dental surgery students. Designed to enhance instruction in endodontics, periodontics, and restorative dentistry, the lab replaces equipment that was originally donated many years ago – demonstrating the Ministry’s strongest commitment yet to developing the next generation of skilled dental professionals.
Complementing this investment is the newly commissioned Dental Digital Lab, outfitted with cutting-edge technology such as digital intraoral scanners and dental 3D printers. Together, these tools enable full in-house production of dental crowns and bridges, dramatically improving the accuracy, efficiency, and quality of care.
One of the most impactful features of the Digital Lab is its service delivery model: all digital dental services will be provided free of cost to the public. With a single dental crown typically costing around $150,000, patients will now benefit from significant financial savings. Additionally, the new technology reduces production times from weeks to as little as two to three days, with same-day service available for urgent cases.

Dentistry training essential
Dr Anthony emphasised that while the institution now serves as one of the country’s premier dental facilities, it is also central to producing professionals who will operate in public health dentistry across every region. The goal, he reiterated, is to ensure Guyanese students receive training that matches or exceeds standards anywhere in the Caribbean and beyond.
The institution, he added, must continuously evolve to reflect emerging trends in medicine, particularly digital dentistry, which remains one of the most critical frontiers for 21st-century healthcare.
“You can move from being a dental technician with additional studies to become a dentist. There’s nothing that stops you from doing that. And we want you to think like that and to explore the opportunities and pathways that can get you on this journey to become a dentist, even a specialist in dentistry. That’s where we want you to go. So don’t limit yourself. This is just one of those steps in your career. And I am hopeful that if you adopt that attitude, that you would be able to utilise your full potential.”
“Guyana is growing, and there are many, many opportunities that are available. Twenty years ago, we couldn’t imagine some of these things that we are doing today. And you see, like, the lab that we’ll be opening, this 3D printing lab, and all these fancy things that we have. We couldn’t even dream of it because we didn’t have the resources to do it,” he added.