ArabianBusiness.com - Middle East Business News
Sunday, 22 November 2009 09:50 UAE time

YOUR DIRECTORY /

| Share |

Ajman sets sights on hygienist shortage

by This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it  on Sunday, 03 August 2008

Ajman University of Science and Technology has taken a step towards tackling dental hygienist shortages with the launch of its Diploma in Dental Hygiene (Dip.DH).

The two-year course is due to start in October and, the dental faculty claims, will cover all aspects of hygiene dentistry.

"The course will allow graduated students to work in general practice or with specialists in the fields of orthodontists, periodontology and prosthodontics," said Dr Abu Bakr Al Mahdi, associate dean of the dental faculty at Ajman.

Story continues below
advertisement

"There is a severe shortage of dental hygienists, which this course is hoping to address, so our graduates should have no problem finding secure jobs in the UAE or the Gulf region."

While both the Ministries of Education and Health closely monitor the course, graduates will not receive an automatic license to work in the UAE. "They will still have to sit the necessary licensing exams," Al Mahdi said.

One local hygienist, who asked not to be named, said the course was more likely to attract existing dental assistants than fresh students, potentially creating a new skills shortage. "Many of the dental assistants working here are qualified dentists in their own country, but they are not allowed to practice as such in the UAE," she said.

"Whether that is a gap in the qualifications I don't know, but I think there is a big difference between dentists, hygienists and assistants. [The course] is positive, but attracting the right kind of students is what will make the course work."

Al Mahdi said the University has already received applications from candidates in the UAE, Saudi Arabia and Kuwait.

| Share |


READERS' COMMENTS

Disclaimer: The views expressed here by our readers are not necessarily shared by ArabianBusiness.com or its employees.

Click here to post a comment


Add your Comment
All posts are sent to the administrator for review and are published only after approval. ArabianBusiness.com reserves the right to remove any comment at any time for any reason. Please keep your responses appropriate and on topic.
Arabian Business would like to point out that only comments relevant to the story will be published. Any containing personal insults or inappropriate language will not be approved.
Name *
Remember me on this computer
Email *
(Your email address will not be published)
City
Country
Subject *
Comment *
Notify me of further comments


Please click post only once - your comment will not be published immediately.


MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM

From  Current Issue

SHARE PRICE CHECK

RELATED LINKS

  1. Ajman University Science and Technology (AUST)»

 EMAIL ALERTS

  1. Ajman University Science and Technology (AUST)

  2. Healthcare


Tell us your story

READER COMMENTS

  1. The Roubini Vs Rogers debate 02
    22 Nov ' 09 at 06:30
    What's not to understand.It's 1930s Hoover-Roosevelt liquidation.Are you really naive enough to believe that Andrew Mellon's...   More  »
  2. RTA to lease last batch of retail outlets on Red Line 02
    21 Nov ' 09 at 22:46
    Raj, actually they withdraw their bid, 5 weeks before 09/09/09, and have been sold out to Bakemart...just a month ago...   More  »
  3. UAE announces Eid and National Day holidays 02
    21 Nov ' 09 at 21:55
    For all the weepers out there,have a lollipop it will cheer you up,since you all are acting like a kid, praying for holidays,   More  »

Read all user comments >

Gitex 2009

MORE FROM ARABIANBUSINESS.COM