Kuwait boasts 1753 dentists, 792 dental clinics in public sector -- minister

KUWAIT, April 16 (KUNA) -- There are up to 792 state-operated dental clinics with free dental care to the public in Kuwait, served by 1753 dentists as of 2014, said Minister of Health Dr. Ali Al-Obaidi, at the opening Thursday of The Sixth Gulf Oral Health Week.
He said all dental clinics have been streamlined by having them equipped with the latest in the oral health industry, noting that the ministry was keen on increasing the number of scholarships awarded to Kuwaitis seeking to become dentists. That number, he said, was currently 60, adding that these dental students were sent to reputable universities in such countries as Sweden, Singapore, South Africa besides perennial destinations as the US, the UK, and Ireland.
He also said that the college of dentistry at the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specialties has graduated 321 dentists, many of them board certified.
He affirmed the ministry's endeavor to continuously develop health services, including dental ones, for the benefit of the public in all six governorates.
On her part, Dr. Sabeeha Al-Mutawa'a, member of the Gulf Commission on Oral Health, said The Sixth Gulf Oral Health Week was being held at the behest of the executive bureau of GCC ministers of health in implementation of health strategies set by the Commission.
While Kuwait, along with its sister GCC states, observe the Gulf Oral Health Week every year, the ministry of Health in Kuwait carries out dental health awareness programs throughout the year, with special attention to oral health of school children all across the country, she said. Such attention started in earnest in 1994 and currently affects up to 40,000 students in 665 schools served by 690 dentists and dental staff, she said. (end) shh.ajs