ON MONDAY October 11, 1993, history was made in Guyana as regards the Government’s dental service to the public: Seven dental nurses graduated, which resulted in their numbers surpassing, for the first time, that of the dentists operating in the Public Sector.

Even as a relatively new dentist at the time, it seemed quite obvious to me that this trend would be entrenched. The public at large must therefore acknowledge the vital responsibility of these health workers, even as we have been training dentists locally for years.
The role and supply of dental nurses, often referred to as ‘dentexes’ here at home, are of increasing interest worldwide. This is due, in large part, to a growing acceptance of the importance of oral health as a part of total health; renewed emphasis on setting and attaining health goals; and recognition of dental nurses as a major resource for accomplishing these goals.
Dental nurses constitute one of the largest and fastest growing groups of oral health service providers. They function primarily as clinicians and health educators, in collaboration with other health professionals. Their work involves the use of preventive and therapeutic (treatment) methods to promote health, and prevent and control oral diseases.
The eighteen months of intense training at the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre involves more than twenty courses, which even include ethics, administration and psychology. After graduating, a dental nurse is capable of heading a dental department at any interior location or school, although their mandate entails treating persons seventeen years and below.
The United States, where the profession originated over a century ago, now has more than 200,000 dental nurses, usually referred to as ‘dental hygienists’. In Canada, Denmark, the Netherlands and Norway, some dental nurses work as administrators, consultants and researchers. Women comprise at least ninety-six per cent of the world’s dental nurse population.
The work role of dental nurses is consistent with present service requirements, and future-oriented health planning. Such planning emphasizes, for example, health promotion and self-care; improved access to preventive services for high-risk population groups; and increased technical efficiency in the use of scarce resources.
Our circumstances have permitted us to adopt a training programme that attempts to equip the student with the skills and knowledge as far as is practicable, to treat the most common dental ailments.
Regulation or governance refers to the legal method and process by which, in the public interest, a profession’s scope and standards of practice are defined and controlled; that is, what a professionals may do and under what conditions.
The dental nurses in Guyana function within official concept and are expected to work under the supervision of a dentist. There are about fifty registered dentists in Guyana.
Unfortunately, the system as yet has not fully implemented its legal mandate to have all dental nurses work under the supervision of a dentist. Notwithstanding my personal view that such is not a necessary requirement, especially in remote communities where emergency treatment is needed and more conservative and elective methods can be referred, the authorities need to take a second look at the extant legislation.
Regardless of how many dentists are placed in the Government Service, the role of dental nurses remains as crucial as ever.