Jamaican Dental Auxiliary Training Program, Kingston Jamaica

ABSTRACT

A site visit and review of the Jamaica Dental Auxiliary Training programs were made by Professor Eric E Spohn on December 3 to 8, 1995. The attached report contains the Terms of Reference, list of persons interviewed, background statement, technical evaluations, conclusions, and recommendations. This program, developed in 1970, continues to serve the needs of the citizens of Jamaica for dental nurses and assistants. In the past 25 years there have been major changes in the level of training required for oral health care personnel in basic and clinical sciences. The most significant finding of this site visit is the fact that this program is not currently a part of Jamaica's tertiary educational system. It is recommended that this be remedied as soon as feasible by an affiliation with the University of Technology or other appropriate tertiary educational program. Other significant findings of this site visit include the fact that the program is operating at less than one-half capacity with a shortage of personnel and seriously compromised equipment, instruments and supplies. High priority must be given to providing more resources to support this program's infrastructure so that student education and clinical patient care are not jeopardized. Additional recommendations include providing administration and teacher training workshops for faculty as well as continuing education for practicing dentists and dental nurses. Also needed are up to date training materials, equipment and supplies to improve the educational programs. Affiliation with a quality tertiary educational institution will hopefully help to correct these shortcomings. The goal of this program review was to evaluate the program, develop conclusions, make recommendations to benefit the training of dental nurses and assistants, and to ultimately bring the benefits of oral health to the people of Jamaica.(AU)