Source document: https://docs-lawep.s3.us-east-2.amazonaws.com/1697639438223.pdf (Bahamas)
The Bahamas Dental Council quarterly Message from the Chairman MEMBERS Bahamas Dental Council It is my privilege to serve as the Chairman of The Bahamas Dental Council at this time and I take this opportunity to greet you my colleagues in this profession.

The delivery of health care in The Bahamas is being challenged by a number of political and social factors.
Oral Health Care in particular, at this time is faced with social trends such as tongue piercing and over the counter bridgework, as well as an increased popularity of cigars and social tobacco use.

National Health Care is a hot button topic, which can have a profound effect on the way health care is delivered and therefore, its impact on the delivery of Oral Health Care should not be taken lightly.
As a Professional group, we are obligated to focus our attention on of have education the the community as it relates to oral health care and the impact various that cultural beliefs and social on trends may maintaining good health.

I applaud The Bahamas Dental Association on the commitment to raise Oral this Health Awareness year and hope that we all take every opportunities that to present contribute to this effort.
they This year, we look forward with great anticipation to the passage of the new Dental Act, which will govern our profession.

of Dental the Of particular interest is the requirement Continuing Education renewal of licenses for all Dental Dentist, Hygienist, Dental Technicians and Dental Nurses.

for rapidly the best Dentistry is a changing profession and we have an obligation to our patients to care provide available to them.

Some things however do not change.
The etiology of basic decay, dental preventive strategies and the importance of early intervention are messages, which should continue to be all Bahamians emphasized to Dr. Osmond Richardson Dr. Ricardo Crawford Dr. Mitchell Lockhart Dr. Kirk Lewis Margot Ingraham Dr. Merceline Dahl Regis Dr. Anthony Davis Dr. Catherine Adderley Chairman Treasurer Ex-Officio Registrar Dental Humor I look forward to an exciting and rewarding year this profession and wish for you all, the best as we work serving together Bahamian Community.
The in Dr. Osmond Richardson Chairman Osmond Richardson Continuing Dental Education Credits A review of the Dental Act, 1989 was conducted during 2006 and amendments were submitted to the Ministry of Health.

The Council received the final draft of the amendments in early 2007 from the Office of the Attorney General.

A final review was completed and it was anticipated that the new Dental Act would have been passed into law by late 2007/early 2008.

Therefore, as this has not been done, cont.


/ 2 A woman and her husband interrupted their vacation to go to the dentist.

"I want a tooth pulled, and I don't want Novacaine because I'm in a big hurry," the woman said.

"Just extract the tooth as quickly as possible, and we'll be on our way."

Quite impressed, the dentist said "You're certainly a courageous woman, which tooth is it?"

The woman turned to her husband and said, "Show him your tooth, dear”.
Requirements - Continuing Dental Education The Registrar’s Report DENTIST 30 hours during a two year period Infection Control/HIV/AIDS Must include: ♦2 hrs of Risk Management (Malpractice prevention, laws, rules, ethics, etc); ♦2 hrs of Education/Infectious diseases Education; & ♦1 hr of Domestic Violence Education, Social Ills and Substance Abuse Education (Minimum 1 hour – Maximum 1 hour).
In addition a CPR course at the basic life support level which includes one man, two man and child technique and results in certification or re-certification by the Bahamas Health Association, Bahamas Red Cross or any equivalent entity must be completed.

Dental Hygienists (including Dental Nurses) 18 hours during a two year period The Bahamas Dental Council came into existence in 1988 with the enactment of the current “Bahamas Dental Act, 1988”.
The role of the Council is mainly to regulate the profession and practice of Dentistry in The Bahamas.

The Council is made up seven of members appointed by the Minister, acting both in his own discretion as well as in consultation with The Bahamas Dental Association.

The four major areas of responsibility for the Council are: 1.

Registration and licensing of all persons wishing to practice Dentistry in The Bahamas.

In this role the Council must evaluate the credentials of all applicants, ie.
qualifications, work experience and good standing in their country of residence.

carefully their and thoroughly academic Infection Control/HIV/AIDS Must include: ♦2 hrs of Risk Management (Malpractice prevention, laws, rules, ethics, etc); ♦2 hrs of Education/Infectious diseases Education: & ♦1 hr of Domestic Violence Education, Social Ills and Substance Abuse Education (Minimum 1 hour – Maximum 1 hour).
In addition a CPR course at the basic life support level which results in certification or re-certification by the Bahamas Health Association, Bahamas Red Cross or any equivalent entity must be completed.

DENTAL TECHNICIANS 8 hours during a two year period Must include: ♦1 hr of Education/Infectious diseases education.

Infection Control/HIV/AIDS 2.


To insure that the desired established standards of practice are maintained, through publication of Code of Ethics and the mandatory continuing education requirements.

A copy of each of these documents are provided by the Council.

3.

To protect the public against unregistered and unlicensed persons (quacks) and to deal with complaints from the general public regarding any dentist that they feel has professionally aggrieved them in any way.

4.
4.

To work along with the Associations (Bahamas Dental Associations & the Hygienists Association) to move dentistry forward and keep it current with the ever changing times.
In this regard, the Bahamas Dental Council can put forth changes to both the Regulations as well as the Dental Act.. As Registrar of the am Bahamas Dental Council, registered persons to all accessible under (dentist, hygienist, the Act technicians and nurses) to answer any questions, provide information and to assist in whatever way I can.

I Anthony Davis CDE Credits cont.


please be advised that the 2 year period will now begin 2007 and expire December 2008. are You encouraged to continue to earn your credits as we strive to provide continuous quality dental care in The Bahamas.
LICENSED DENTAL PROFESSIONALS Dentist Nassau Freeport Eleuthera Exuma Abaco Berry Islands Hygienist Nassau Freeport Abaco Technicians Nassau 64 4 2 1 3 1 24 3 1 4 Websites for Continuing Dental Education Credits ♦www.ineedce.com ♦http://www.pennwelldentalgroup.com ♦http://www.rdhmag.com ♦fdi.org ♦ada.org ♦dentaltown.com