ALLIED DENTAL PERSONNEL IN DENTISTRY

Abstract

Dentistry has been developed over the years worldwide tremendously. In Pakistan like other professions as for as development in dentistry is concerned, we are not up to the mark. In spite of the fact that our Dental Institutions are producing sufficient number of Dentists annually, we are not matching international criteria of development in Dentistry. The reason has to be the lack of adequately trained auxiliary staff in dentistry in Pakistan.
Combined efforts of Dentists and Auxiliary dental care personnel can only guarantee the better Oral health care at primary health level to the population. We don’t have enough auxiliary dental staff to support the Dentists in the delivery of appropriate oral health care at primary level. Unfortunately, in Pakistan, all the Dental institutes are focused on the development of dental graduates. None of the Dental institutes is conducting any of the supportive dental staff ’s courses or programs.

While performing the Dental treatment and restoration dentist need the support of qualified and appropriate allied dental personnel. The involvement of allied dental staff has a significant and positive impact on the dentist’s practice. Recently the importance of the role of the allied dental personnel within the dental team has increased, especially in those dental specialties where the dentist single-handedly cannot complete the dental treatment.

Therefore, dental colleges should be encouraged to start allied dental personnel programs in different dental specialties. Induction of qualified and adequately trained auxiliary dental staff at primary health level can address the unequal distribution of dentists and collaborative approach to oral health promotion.