As a policy and administrative direction, the Ministry of Health through the former Minister of
Health, Dr. Fenton Ferguson (himself a Dental Surgeon) informed Cabinet, in the 2014/2015
Sectorial Presentation that the Government has completed negotiations for an agreement with
the North East Regional Dental Examination Board and the American Dental Examination
Body to help the Jamaican Authorities to establish a National Dental Examination Board to
ensure the highest competency testing standards.
Excerpts from 2014/2015 Sectorial Debate Presentation
Mr. Speaker, last year we said there had to be some legislative amendments. The areas that are
presenting themselves for consideration include:
1) Regulating the practice of dentistry to ensure that only licensed practitioners can own and
operate a Dental Surgery and Dental Laboratory;
2) Mandatory Continuing Education for all categories of Dental Professionals;
3) Regulating Training;
4) Prescribing additional categories of Dental Auxiliaries and,
5) Prescribing different categories of Registration of Dental Professionals.
Mr. Speaker, we have completed negotiations for an agreement with the North East Regional
Dental Examination Board and the American Dental Examination Body to help us to establish a
National Dental Examination Board to ensure the highest competency testing
standards. (http://jis.gov.jm/contribution-20142015-sectoral-debate-hon-fenton-ferguson/)
49th Annual JDA Convention at the Ritz Carlton Golf and Spa Rose Hall
May 2013 Dental Convention in MONTEGO BAY, St James — Health Minister Fenton
Ferguson has assured the island’s dentists that Government was moving to make amendments to
the Dental Act, which will set new standards for the profession.”We feel that this is going to be
important going forward [in] putting the necessary regulatory framework that will allow for the
profession to maintain the standards that we believe are necessary,” Dr. Ferguson told reporters
covering the Jamaica Dental Association’s 49th Annual Convention at the Ritz Carlton Golf and
Spa Rose Hall. In the meantime, Dr. Ferguson noted that Government was now pressing to
establish a national examination for dental
practitioners. (http://www.jamaicaobserver.com/news/Amendments-coming-to-Dental-
Act_14191217)
The Commission on Dental Competency Assessments (CDCA) Response
Regarding Jamaica’s Membership
On January 13, 2015, CDCA informed the Honourable Minister of Health, The Honourable Dr. Fenton
Fergusonthat CDCA granted Jamaica full and equal membership to that professional body of Dentistry.
Refer to the attached letter to the Honourable Minister.
