Dentistry

Abstract

Post- Graduate Dental Education: The Ghanaian Experience

Alex Oti Acheampong, Patrick Ampofo, Merley Newman-Nartey, Felix Ampofo Anafi, Nana Tuffuor Ampem Gyimah, Robert Nii Lamy Larmie, Neils Quartey-Papafio, Francis Adu-Ababio, James Appiah Amoateng and Peter Donkor

Background: The maintenance of standards in dental post-graduate education requires adequate and equal distribution of specialists in all aspects of dentistry.

Aim/objective: The primary aim of this study was to determine the factors that influence the choice of field of specialization in dentistry and to identify current trends of specialization in Dentistry.

Methods and materials: A well-structured Google form questionnaire was designed and submitted to Residents (current trainees and Members) through their emails. The data collected included area of specialty, training Centre and the factors that influenced the choice of specialty.

Results: Since the inception of the GCPS, which had its first Membership graduation in 2007, 902 Members and 76 Fellows had been trained as of October 2017. In Dental surgery, a total of 40 Members and 7 Fellows had been trained which represented 4.43% and 9.21% respectively of the total trained by GCPS. The majority reason for the choice of a particular specialty in dentistry was “Interest/Passion”31(22.14%) followed closely by the “Availability of trainers”27 (19.29%). The least recorded reason was for “Academia” 8(5.71%).

Conclusion: Majority of these specialist/Members were in the Oral and Maxillofacial and Restorative Dentistry and then followed by orthodontics. The major reasons for choosing a particular specialty in Dentistry were “Passion/Interest” followed closely by “Availability of trainers” and “financial gains”. There was not a single trained Specialist in Community Dentistry, Oral Medicine and Paediatric Dentistry. Majority of our Residents were sponsored by GHS followed by the Teaching Hospital. The least sponsors of Resident training were the two Dental schools and the CHAG.