Jamaica » UTech Offers Accelerated Dental Training Programmes

The University of Technology, Jamaica (UTech) has partnered with Marmicmon Integrated Marketing and Communications, a Canadian academic brokerage for the delivery of a two (calendar) year fast tracked Bachelor of Science degree in Dental Hygiene and a one (calendar) year Certified Dental Assistant Diploma.

These accelerated programmes will commence in September 2010 and will be offered through the University’s School of Dental Sciences in the College of Health Sciences. The Ministry of Health in 2008 divested its dental auxiliary training programmes to UTech along with the functions of the former Dental Auxiliary School.

Both the degree and diploma programmes will prepare graduates to perform high quality promotive, preventive and curative oral health care. Specifically, the Bachelor of Science in Dental Hygiene will prepare graduates to treat dental and gum diseases, expose dental radiographs and do prophylaxis on children and adults. The Dental Assisting graduate will be trained to provide assistance to dental surgeons, hygienists and therapists. In addition all graduates will be trained to manage dental stores, take dental records and plan and deliver dental health education talks. The programmes offer a curriculum which meets the needs of local, regional and international dental services.

Dr. Irving McKenzie, Chief Dental Officer for Jamaica and Head of the School of Dental Sciences, UTech notes that “Jamaica has significant needs for Oral Health Care.” The vast majority of the dental assistants in the private sector are not currently certified. Additionally, with the population of dentists being less than one hundred and fifty (150) in 2008, the ratio of dentists to the population is less than 6 per 100,000. The current international standard is 1:2,500. The training of more dental care professionals for the local market is therefore an urgent imperative.

Graduates of the programme will earn internationally recognised certification and will have the opportunity to access employment in the health care sector in Jamaica, regionally, in Canada and the USA.

Marmicmon Integrated Marketing and Communications is a corporate body, incorporated under the laws of the Province of British Columbia. Their programmes are geared towards matching training needs for development of health care in the Caribbean.

The application period is opened from March 8 to May 28, 2010. For entry requirements and other details, interested persons may call 927-1680-8 extn. 2314/5 or visit the University’s website at www.utechjamaica.edu.jm

http://www.utech.edu.jm/news/vol14iss2/index.html