Dentists urged to be up-to-date with latest technology, procedures

GINA, GUYANA, Saturday, November 05, 2016

The Annual Dental Convention 2016 kicked-off today under the theme “Promoting Dentistry Through Education” and will run for two days.

Minister within the Ministry of Public Health, Dr. Karen Cumming, in delivering the feature address at the event at the Pegasus Hotel, said she hopes that at the end of the convention “there would have been a comprehensive exchange of contemporary scientific knowledge among participants resulting in various degrees of learning taking place.”

Dr Cummings said that the convention will provide the opportunity for the delegates to bring new ideas to the people of Guyana. She noted that persons must be aware that effective oral health is essential to overall health; noting that good oral health improves a person’s ability to speak, to smile, to taste among others. The convention is in keeping with the observance of Oral Health Month.

“The availability of new tools is enabling researchers to understand oral biology and disease. Further these tools are helping to change profoundly the treatment- oral, dental, cranial, and facial diseases and disorders. The Minister also noted that better collaboration between dental and medical professionals can be a means of ensuring that all Guyanese understand that oral health is essential to their overall health,” Dr Cummings said.

President of the Guyana Dental Association, Dr. Uon Sandiford said that the convention is a platform where all participants will learn, as well as exchange ideas which are geared at strengthening the dental profession.

Dr. Sandiford added that dentistry in itself is an evolving science that plays an integral part in general health. He noted that experts in the profession must keep up with the evolution of dentistry through collaboration with international and local guest educating dentists from all

regions of Guyana.

“We, as dentists will be better able to serve the community at large by providing up- to -date skills and knowledge that will put our patients at comfort,” Dr. Sandiford said

The convention will see a number of guest speakers one of which is Dr. William A.J. Smith who is currently the Acting Director of his alma mater, the University of the West Indies School of Dentistry.

Dr. Nancy Boodho who is a Dentist and a Medical Legal Advisor and is based in the United Kingdom stated that her presentation to those attending the convention will be based on Education Processes.

The Government Information Agency took time to speak to a few dentists who are attending the convention. Dr. Paul said, “I have been a dentist for two years and as it relates to the convention I am here to learn basically new things. You never learned everything in the industry and there is always something to learn. Last year’s convention was very good, and I am expecting a lot of this convention.”

Dr. Buddai stated, “It’s a really good convention that will see dentists updated with new technologies and new procedures, basically we are refreshing and learning things too.”

Oral health Month is being observed under the theme –“Promoting Oral Health Through Education”.

 

By: Gabreila Patram