Guyana’s public dental sector received a boost last week with the commissioning of two cutting-edge facilities at the Cheddi Jagan Dental Centre: a new Dental Simulation Lab and a Dental Digital Lab. The Ministry of Health says the investments represent a historic modernization of dental training and service delivery in the country.
The Dental Simulation Lab is equipped with 15 advanced dental simulators and is designed to support hands-on, competency-based training for Dental Therapists (Dentex) and Dental Surgery students. The facility enhances instruction in Endodontics, Periodontics, and Restorative Dentistry. It replaces equipment donated many years ago, marking what the ministry described as its strongest commitment yet to developing a new generation of skilled dental professionals.
Complementing this is the newly launched Dental Digital Lab, outfitted with Digital Intraoral Scanners and Dental 3D Printers capable of producing dental crowns and bridges in-house. The technology is expected to significantly improve accuracy and efficiency in patient care.
A key feature of the Digital Lab is its free-of-cost service delivery model. With a single dental crown normally costing around $150,000, offering digital dental services at no charge represents substantial financial relief for patients. Production times have also been dramatically reduced — from weeks to 2–3 days, with same-day service available for urgent cases.
The commissioning event also included a White Coat Ceremony for Dental Technicians enrolled in the programme relaunched two years ago. The ceremony marks students’ transition from theoretical coursework to clinical practice and reflects the Ministry’s emphasis on strengthening professional training.
Principal Dental Surgeon Dr. Marvin Monize described the initiatives as “a significant milestone for oral health care in Guyana,” saying the new facilities will “revolutionise dental training and service delivery for generations to come.”
Present at the event were Minister of Health, Dr. Frank Anthony; Dr. Ramjohn, Quality Assurance, Data Management and Monitoring and Evaluation Officer; Dr. Collin Waterman of the Dental Auxiliary Training Programme; Dr. Sergio Africano, Head of the Digital Dental Lab; along with staff and students from the sector.
