19 Nov 2013

Dentists have been called to come up with innovative ways of bridging the gap in dentistry in order for them to remain relevant to the consumers of their services.

Motor Vehicle Associated Fund general manager - customer services, Ms Mpule Ditirwa said dentists should take cognizance of the strategies for oral health in the modern day of technological age.

Speaking at the Botswana Dental Association (BODEA) congress held in Gaborone, Ms Ditirwa said Botswana like other countries was burdened by problems of road traffic accidents, assaults and dental caries that result in facial deformities and loss of function.

All these, she said, needed innovative reconstruction and rehabilitation with modern day technology and “they do not come cheap, the fund is paying through its nose to accord these clients another chance to normal life.”

“The fund for the period ended October 2013, paid a total of P760 000 for dental treatment,” she said. Ms Ditirwa said MVA Fund needed dentists to give its claimants the best and keep abreast with the knowledge of the current and evidence-based research, as well as the technological equipment available in order to continue to improve oral health.

She emphasised the importance of public education for promotion of good oral health and also on the current treatment methods available. President of BODDEA, Dr Kethamile Mabaila said the theme for the conference, ‘Bridging the Digital and Innovative Divide in Dentistry’ was relevant as dentistry was dynamic with so many materials being developed.

She said the conference afforded dentists an opportunity to keep abreast with the current technologies that were being developed with the help of the experts.

Dr Mabaila said BODEA was launched in 1999 with a membership of 50 people, but has since increased to 100 dentists countrywide, both private practise, mines and government hospitals.

She said the main objectives of the association was among others to promote the practice, repress malpractice and settle disputed points of practice as well as contributing to community activities or programmes related to health in general.

The two-day conference is attended by other oral health practitioners around the country and the SADC region, aimed to enhance dentists with clinical skills, so that they would be able to provide quality and comprehensive oral health care. Ends