Brunei's Local News - Brudirect.com

Bandar Seri Begawan - A total of 12 dental assistants were awarded with certificates after completion of a two-year basic course in dental surgery for session 2006-2008 during a convocation held last night at the Rizqun International Hotel.

Attended to award the students was Minister of Health, Pehin Orang Kaya Indera Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Haji Suyoi Haji Osman who also presented awards to best student, best exemplary student and to the best instructors.

In the spirit of the occasion, a Dikir Marhaban was performed for the participants. The convocation, the second time being held, was organised by the Department of Dental Services, Ministry of Health.

The course is aimed at encouraging continuing professional development of the participants. It gave a theoretical training to produce a workforce of skilled dental assistants according to the demands of the nation.

It is also to ensure that dental assistants are competent and more efficient in their task aside from being more knowledgeable in the field of dental services.

According to the chairman of the organising committee, Roslan Jalanee Hj Zainal Abiddin, the dental assistants course will continue to the next level where it will involve 35 dental assistants of whom 20 will be trained for the third cohort, which is expected to start in early March this year, while 15 for the fourth cohort will begin in March next year.

"Preparations are well under way for the courses," said Roslan, who is also the acting head of dental assistant.

To date, there are 39 trained dental assistants where nine of them were trained overseas.

Yesterday's event also saw the launching of the first Dental Assistant National Symposium which will put participants through workshops and lecture sessions. These sessions will be conducted by lecturers from the Civil Service Institute, Department of Dental Services including facilitators from the health's ministry.

Following the dikir marhaban, guest of honour Pehin Dato Hj Suyoi was invited to view a sketch video presentation and exhibition organised by the department. -- Courtesy of The Brunei Times