According to the Government School Dental Therapists Association, the school dental therapy service is facing a serious crisis.
The association points out that there are several factors that have caused this and that despite the fact that they have been discussing and making requests with the government for some time, the future of this service is at risk due to no solutions being provided so far.
The association says that although this service operates as an interim medical service under the Ministry of Health, despite requests for about 30 years, the registration of the Sri Lanka Medical Council has not been granted so far.
The shortage of school dental therapists has not yet been resolved. There are 417 school dental clinics all over the island. 516 officers are required for its service. But currently only 356 officers are serving. Accordingly, there are vacancies of 161 officers. Vacancies cannot be filled due to suspension of recruitment for training. That’s just one problem.
Among the demands of the association is the upgrading of the School Dentistry Advanced Diploma course to a degree.
However, the association has sent a letter to the Minister of Labor and Foreign Employment to help resolve the problems of this service that provides dental health protection for school children.
The letter is below.
