DEPARTMENT OF DENTISTRY

Dental service has come a long way since the Dental Department was established in 1982. Back then, dental service was basically routine, general dentistry. Equipment and supplies were simple and sparse. Sterilization methods were outdated, x-ray facilities were limited and there were only 6 treatment rooms.

In contrast, Dental Department now offers more specialized services, namely the following specialties:

• oral and maxillafacial surgery

• crown and bridge

• orthodontics

• restorative dentistry

• prosthodontics

• periodontics

• pedodontics

These specialties are complemented with state-of-the-art equipment and facilities. Radiological equipment have improved with the acquisition of an additional panoramic and intra-oral x-ray units.

The Dental laboratory was initially equipped with simple lab equipment. Starting in 1985, Laboratory facilities were gradually developed with the acquisition of more sophisticated equipment for the production of dental appliances.

Today the Laboratory is well-equipped to support all kinds of dental treatment. Production has expanded and become more varied. In 1997, laboratory production totaled 9,754 items which include crown and bridge, cobalt chrome framework, dentures, and arch wires.

Divided into subspecialty sections, the Dental Department has now 29 treatment rooms, twelve of which are located in the Outpatient Department Annex.

Statistics

From 1981 to 1982, the Department treated 44,806 visitors for a weekly average of 95 patients per dental chair. This number dropped to 31,842 visitors from 1982 to 1983, for a weekly average of 82 patients per dental chair.

In 1997, the total number of visits were 98,409 for an average of 330 patients seen daily at the department. This represents a massive increase of 209% since 1982-1983 of which nearly 73% are Qatari nationals.

Staff and Training

In 1983, the department had only two consultants in oral surgery, 2 registrars, 5 senior residents and 3 junior residents. At present, the department has one consultant in each dental specialty, ably assisted by two to four residents who are undergoing postgraduate training. Consultants in dental specialties joined the department in late 1987, further widening the specialized dental services available to the population.

Dental Department has now a total complement of 39 dental surgeons compared to only 12 in 1983. Of these, one is a Qatari consultant specializing in oral and maxillofacial surgery while two others are Qatari specialists in pedodontics (pediatric dentistry).

Training for interns and residents take the form of on the job training. Residents, in particular, are rotated in different specialties to gain an all round dental exposure. The Department holds a weekly scientific meeting widely participated in by staff. There are now 27 residents in the department, 19 of whom are Qatari nationals.

Future Goals

A new purpose built Dental edifice, currently under construction, is expected to be commissioned in 1998. The new premises will feature an upgraded and expanded referral dental center which will house 45 newly equipped treatment rooms, upgraded radiological facilities and a central sterilization section.

An added feature is a large dental laboratory that can accommodate 25 lab technicians. A well-equipped lecture hall for continuing education is another new facility.

The expansion in physical facilities will also be complemented with a gradual increase in the number of senior-level consultants. A proposal has been made to restructure the present staffing setup, that is, to assign two consultants per specialty who will be supported by a specialist and 4 residents.

With upgraded facilities and, consequently, improved standards the Dental Department hopes to establish itself as a referral and training center in the future. It plans to gain accreditation as a dental specialty training center, too, from the Arab Board for Medical Specialization and the Royal College of Surgeons.

Information compiled from HMC 15 yr report