Guyana’s healthcare system has been boosted with the addition of 13 Dental Surgeons who recently graduated from the University of Guyana’s School of Medical Sciences with their Bachelor’s in Dental Surgery.
University of Guyana Dental Surgeon Class of 2021
On February 6, 2022, the School of Medicine, Dentistry Department, hosted a White Coat and Awards Ceremony at the Regency Suites Banquet Hall where the newly-minted Dental Surgeons were officially presented with their ceremonial White Coats.
The Annual White Coat and Awards Ceremony signifies a transition from the preclinical year to the clinical years of a Dental Surgeon.
University of Guyana’s Vice-Chancellor, XI, Prof Paloma Mohamed Martin congratulated the graduates, their lecturers, family, and support network, acknowledging that they were the best of the best, a small percentage chosen from a large pool of eligible applicants.
She indicated that this always worried her and that the University’s PACE Unit through support from the partnership between ExxonMobil, Hess, CNOOC, and Greater Guyana Initiative (GGI) was able to secure funding for 10 dental chairs which will soon be commissioned.
She added that this will critically change the programme in several ways including allowing the dental programme to triple its current small intake thereby increasing the number of dental surgeons in the country and more so, it will ensure broader regional impact of the programme through community-based internships in especially hard to reach areas.
She further stated that the programme was established 15 years ago and has already given the country close to 100 Dental Surgeons. This year’s graduating class is the largest in its history since the university has been expanding the numbers within the context of its capacity over the last few years. She lauded the students who received awards accomplishments and the faculty now headed by Dr Cecil Boston and Dr Carlos Varona for the advancement and enhancement of the Dentistry Department at UG.
Vice-Chancellor Mohamed further encouraged the graduates to aspire to be the best at what they do as opportunities and blessings follow diligent and excellent work.
University of Guyana’s Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Engagement), Prof Emanuel Cummings, who delivered the keynote address on behalf of Dr Leslie Ramsammy, highlighted six (6) key characteristics the Dental Surgeons must have in order to be excellent healthcare professionals.
According to Prof Cummings, it is expected that healthcare workers should practice effective communication skills, have emotional stability, empathy, attention to detail, problem-solving skills, and respect for every human being.
“It is important to communicate well with your patients, supervisors and colleagues; and adding to that, as a doctor, you need to put yourself in the position of your patient and treat each patient in like manner as if he or she were a family or friend.”
The DVC, who was the founding Dean of the Dental School, added: “As doctors, you need to ensure that you read and gain additional knowledge as there is much to learn since science is continuously evolving. More so, you need to be innovative and think outside the box but within the regulations of dentistry.”
Prof Cummings further encouraged the graduates to be an instrument of change. “Respect every human being in your environment, your peers, the security guards, the cleaners, and everyone because everyone has a role to play,” the DVC urged.
In addition, Director of the School of Dentistry, Dr Carlos Varona congratulated the graduates and extended best wishes to them as they embark on their careers. “Now is the time to put into practice the knowledge and skills acquired during the past four years so that you can become honourable professionals to gain the trust of each of your patients and colleagues and to give the best to our society.”
Meanwhile, the valedictorian of the dentistry class of 2021, Dr Tressyia Ketwaroo thanked her peers, lecturers, and friends for making her journey one that was filled with lots of successes and laughter. “To the class of 2021, we are triumphant today, we worked hard and smart and today is only possible because we worked as a team.”
The graduating class comprised of the following persons: Dr David Adams, Dr Chiquita Forrester, Dr Christine King Smith, Dr Ackeem Marques, Dr Oral Mc Allister, Dr Danesh Persaud, Dr Keisha Brazh, Dr Tressyia Ketwaroo, Dr Jewel La Fleur, Dr Neranjan Manoo, Dr Ghansham Samaroo, Dr Sadeke Sandy, and Dr Daryl Watson.
The Dr Cheddi Jagan Award for the Best Graduating Student was presented to Dr Tressyia Ketwaroo while the Dr Giri Award for the Second-Best Graduating Student was awarded to Dr Ghansham Samaroo.
Dr Keisha Brazh, Dr Tressyia Ketwaroo, Dr Ghansham Samaroo, and Dr Sadeke Sandy were presented with an award for the Best Research Project.
Dr Christine King Smith was also named the Best Overall Clinical Student while Dr Ghansham Samaroo was named the Second-Best Overall Clinical Student.
Outstanding performance in the rotation of adults, prosthodontics and paediatrics were awarded to Dr Tressyia Ketwaroo, Dr Christine King Smith, and Dr Ghansham Samaroo, respectively.
The University of Guyana Dental Students Association Medal of Service was awarded to Dr David Adams, Dr Ackeem Marques, Dr Ghansham Samaroo, Dr Chiquita Forrester, Dr Tressyia Ketwaroo, and Dr Sadeke.
