Local dentists split over MoH staff solution

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Failed medical nurses have been touted as a solution to the industry’s skill gap by Ministry officials.

The news that failed medical nurses are being groomed to fill the gap of dental technicians by the UAE's Ministry of Health (MoH) has received a mixed response from its dentists.

A new ruling by the department means that private sector dentists operating in the northern emirates must employ a nurse or technician before being allowed to renew their license.

However, technician numbers are so low, practices are struggling to source staff.

Dr Shaik Rahim, a practitioner at Sharjah's Central Private Hospital, welcomed the news suggesting the nurses' greater grasp of anatomy would be an added bonus to dentists.

"It is a good idea and the scheme could ultimately be beneficial," he said. "And if the Ministry says we have to comply, we must comply."

However, concerns about whether nurses would be prepared to accept technician status were raised.

A Ras Al Khaimah dentist, who asked not to be named, suggested the plan was a temporary solution at best. "It will not work," he said. "If [a nurse] becomes a dental assistant she is stuck as one for the rest of her career in the UAE.

"She will be doing nothing. She is not touching the patient and is not allowed to give injections. She will simply be assisting me by holding the suction and passing materials."

Most candidates would prefer to work as dental nurses, he said, noting that the staff shortage in this field is so great, dental nurses can earn more than dentists.

"But the problem is that once they are qualified, they will move on."

He also accused the Ministry of hypocrisy, by failing to apply the same ruling to public sector dental clinics. During his 13 years in government dentistry, he said, he frequently operated without an assistant.

"I told them this. In return, I was told, ‘Don't ever compare the Ministry to the private sector.'

"The private sector is governed by their many rules [but] if they applied those rules to themselves they would be shut down."

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