Call for mandatory CPE for local dentists

There is a need for continuing professional education (CPE) to be made mandatory for dentists practicing in this country.

 

That was one of the major calls that came from several of the speakers addressing the opening ceremony of the Caribbean Dental Program conference at Accra Beach Hotel yesterday morning.

 

Leading off the call was Dr. Sherlock Bradshaw who, as he delivered the welcome remarks, contended that in every area of dentistry newer technologies are emerging and he is adamant that compulsory continuing education must be the order of the day.

 

“For a number of year and for a number of reasons, this nation of ours has been struggling to establish this… we need to move faster to make continuing professional education compulsory for continued registration on an annual basis,” he said.

 

Bradshaw added, “Our constituency, our patients are more knowledgeable than ever before; they have access, almost unfettered access to the latest information online and elsewhere about what is current in terms of dental treatment. Some treatment offerings which were considered advanced now form part of the standard of care.”

 

Adding to his comments, Dr. Victor Eastmond, Chairman of the Caribbean Dental Program, noted that in other countries in the Caribbean, including The Bahamas and St. Lucia, CPE is compulsory and he is calling for the legislation to be amended to make it mandatory in Barbados as well. Even though it is not provided for within the law here, Dr. Eastmond says that the sector can still engage in such studies.

 

Meanwhile, President of the Barbados Hygienists Association, Jemma Richardson, also calling for mandatory CPE, suggested that the dentists could subsidise CPE for hygienists in their employ.

 

“We are in the age of information technology; our patients are using the internet, sometimes many more times than we are to conduct research for themselves. They will have questions and some will ask, but will we have the answers? Therefore it is necessary for us to implement, budget for continuing education,” she added.

 

Moreover, she indicated the need to lobby the local insurance companies to cover a wider cross section of dental procedures which are either aimed at maintaining good oral health or preventing persons from having poor oral health. (JRT)