A contingent from the U.S. that included University of Maryland School of Dentistry alumni recently provided hands-on training in removable prosthodontics for recent dental program graduates in the African nation of Rwanda.
On November 3, 2015, the University of Maryland School of Dentistry in collaboration with the Harvard University School of Dental Medicine presented a Continuing Professional Development training for the University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Dentistry’s Bachelor of Dental Therapy Class of 2015.
Of the 28 members of the Bachelor of Dental Therapy Class of 2015, 22 returned to the dental school to attend the Continuing Professional Development program, entitled “Removable Prosthodontics: Lecture and Hands-on Demonstration,” making the program first professional training documented in their required Rwandan Medical and Dental Council Continuing Professional Development attendance journals.
Facilitated by Dr. Valli Meeks, Dr. Marie Johnson lectured with Mr. Amos Kipchumba, a dental laboratory technician with the University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Dentistry, in presenting the hands-on demonstration for the course. Doctors Meeks and Johnson are University of Maryland School of Dentistry alumni.
Informational material regarding tooth selection and design of removable prosthetics was provided courtesy of Victoria King of Densply Dental Products.
While the Bachelor of Dental Therapy Class of 2015 did have didactic training in the fabrication of interim removable partials, a deliverable service within their scope of training, limited laboratory equipment and space prevented them from getting instructional laboratory experience.
The recent acquisition of laboratory space and equipment at the University of Rwanda College of Medicine and Health Sciences, School of Dentistry now allows for laboratory training in removable prosthodontics.
Pictured:From left, Dr. Donna Hackley, Dr. Sawsan Salih and Jane Barrows, all of the Harvard School of Dental Medicine; Dr. Valli Meeks and Dr. Marie Johnson from the University of Maryland School of Dentistry.
Courtesy of Dr. Valli Meeks