Options for types of dental health personnel to Train for Ghana

Abstract

SUMMARYObjectives -To explore the degree of agreement on issues surrounding the proposals for dental health personnel requirements among key oral health personalities who are central to determining policy on oral health personnel requirements for Ghana and to make recommendations to assist in the future development of dental health personnel requirements. Design -A review of the literature, published documents and in-depth semi-structured interviews. Setting -Dental health service in Ghana Participants -Key oral health personalities who are central to determining policy on oral health personnel requirements for Ghana Results -There was a lack of consensus regarding key aspects of planning personnel requirements including the numbers and the kinds of professionals complementary to dentistry (PCDs) to develop, who should be responsible for their training, and which people to admit as trainees of PCDs. Conclusion -Greater discussion between the various agencies involved should take place to help ensure consensus on the overall policy objectives.

Exploratory scoping of the literature on factors that influence oral health workforce planning and management in developing countries

“…Descriptions of the international movement of oral health practitioners are more prominent in articles published from 2000 onwards. The need for oral health practitioners in other countries is a pull factor for recent graduates with reports of high numbers of dentistry students migrating to more developed regions or countries . A lack of available positions or unsatisfactory job conditions was reported as a push factor .…”

“…The education of dentistry students in DCs or LDCs has historically focused on a restorative approach and has lacked community and behavioural aspects in the curriculum . There appears to be insufficient commitment of educational institutions to train dentists in a way that responds to population oral health needs and demands .…”

“…It is unclear who is responsible for implementation of oral health‐promoting services and whether governments have funding mechanisms in place to support this . A lack of coordination of stakeholders is reported .…”

“…In remote areas, the less trained oral healthcare practitioners often have more responsibilities. Some authors recommend that for appropriate oral health workforce management to occur all stakeholders with diverse interests should collaborate and be involved in deciding on national goals and in designing (preventive) strategies . Some also suggested that the dental profession is hesitant to employ other (oral) health personnel in oral health prevention programmes .…”

Capacity Building and Financing Oral Health in the African and Middle East Region

“…In Ghana, lack of consensus exists in personnel requirements, including the numbers and the types of oral health professionals and who should be responsible for their training (Addo et al 2006).…”