RE-INTRODUCING DENTAL THERAPY: A SWIFT SHIFT TOWARDS AFFORDABLE, PREVENTATIVE AND CURATIVE DENTISTRY

doi:10.4066/2591-7951-C2-004

RE-INTRODUCING DENTAL THERAPY: A SWIFT SHIFT TOWARDS AFFORDABLE, PREVENTATIVE AND CURATIVE DENTISTRY

International Conference on DENTISTRY AND ORAL HEALTH & WORLD DERMATOLOGY AND COSMETOLOGY CONGRESS
September 03-04 , 2018 | Bangkok ,Thailand

Sandile Cyril Nxumalo

South African Dental Therapy Association (SADTA), South Africa

Keynote : Arch Gen Intern Med

DOI: 10.4066/2591-7951-C2-004

Abstract:

The aim of this lecture is to highlight the importance of dental therapy in the dental team in preventative/curative approach especially in developing countries. Research has found that primary dentistry is becoming more and more relevant, more so in developing countries where cosmetic dentistry at a later stage might be deemed unaffordable to a few. This especially true since more health insurance funders are becoming more conservative in their funding too. Dental therapy was introduced initially in New Zealand in the 1920’s. The aim of this rather fundamental mid-level profession was to pro-actively tackle oral health issues from primary care perspective, thus preventing millions of people from losing their teeth - translating to expensive cosmetic dental care. This approach has proved to be more successful with lesser cases progressing to the tertiary stages of treatment including dentures, root canal therapy, crown and bridge work, etc. It has also given much time for dentists to focus on what they are good at...specialised dentistry. Since its inception, the lecture will investigate the scope of practice, curriculum templates, success/failures and the future of dental therapy, not only in Africa but across the globe.

Biography:

Sandile Cyril Nxumalo has begun his illustrious dental career in Klerksdorp, North-West province, having qualified at the University of KwaZulu-Natal, SA in 2000. He opened his chain of private practices, Dent O Morphosis Inc. in Durban, 2000. From 2009 till 2012 he, pursued lecturing at the Durban University of Technology (DUT), prior to taking on the role of coordinating the dental assisting programme. He is also serving as the Deputy-Chairperson for the same Dental Assisting Advisory Board. He has held many leadership positions during his professional career, most notably with the South African Dental Therapy Association (SADTA), where he has served as both the Chairperson and Deputy Chair, as well as the Head of Education and Development sector. He is currently the Treasurer-General for same.

E-mail: nxumalo.sc@gmail.com

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