Ajman sets sights on hygienist shortage

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.

"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.

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