The School of Dentistry began its undergraduate programme (BDS) in the 2006/2007 academic year and has graduated 7 cohorts of students (total 46 Graduates) thus far.
Early in the programme, the first two years in particular, some minor curriculum changes were done, but there were no major changes made to the curriculum at that time.
Due to diligent efforts by the Dean and Faculty of Health Sciences, the Vice Chancellery, and the University as a whole, the School of Medicine was able to regain its accreditation for a period of 4 years, from 2017 – 2020. The School of Dentistry had been closely following the accreditation process for the School of Medicine. Every curriculum is dynamic and requires constant monitoring and appropriate changes to adapt to current situations locally and internationally.
In this respect, there was a Curriculum Workshop for the School of Medicine and the School of Dentistry in 2013 sponsored by PAHO and conducted by Curriculum Consultant Dr Brader Braithwaite. Professor Straiser also contributed towards the preparations for Accreditation by CAAM-HP.
With the excellent support from the School of Medicine, the Dean and Faculty of Health Sciences, the Vice Chancellery, and all the rest of the University, the School of Dentistry was able to apply to CAAM-HP for Accreditation towards the end of 2017. A Self Study and New Curriculum were submitted in January of 2018, to CAAM-HP. A date was then identified for the Site Visit to the School of Dentistry, and the Site Visit Team was able to carry out their Visit on the 18th to 21st of March, 2018.
The School of Dentistry and the University are now awaiting the official report from CAAM-HP from the site visit done.
We wish to highlight some of the activities before and during the Site Visit for Accreditation of the School of Dentistry, as follows:
The Cheedi Jagan Dental Centre is the main Teaching Facility for the School of Dentistry, of the University of Guyana.
Formation of the Steering Committee, led by the Vice Chancellor, (front row - fifth from the right) for the Accreditation Process of the School of Dentistry, University of Guyana.
Dental Student Association Executives and representatives. The student body was very much involved in preparations for the Accreditation Visit.
The Dental Students Association, University of Guyana (DSA, UG) volunteer activity in preparation for Accreditation Site Visit
DSA and Lecturers involved in volunteer work at the West Demerara Regional Hospital
BDS Students with CAAM-HP Site Visit Team, March 2018
CAAM-HP Accreditation Site Visit Team and University of Guyana Administrators, March 2018