Dental education in Fiji needs to evolve, says Fiji Dental Association (FDA) president Dr Parikshath Naidu.
He said the association should be involved if any changes were to be made to the dentistry syllabus. Dr Naidu said this during the association’s dental conference and Annual General Meeting in Nadi recently.
“On the national front, there is a lot of work that needs to be done – especially in the oral health care regarding coordination and planning,” he said.
Dr Naidu said the negative impact of global crises such as the COVID-19 pandemic and the European conflict also affected dentistry in Fiji.
“There is now an emphasis on the prevention of oral diseases and a change in the way we conduct the affairs of the association.
“Creative approaches to dental health is now encouraged, especially thinking outside the box in the new normal.”
He said his aim over the past two years was to develop and serve the FDA to his full abilities.
“In spite of the restrictions that were in place during the pandemic as they were not being able to conduct physical activities, the executive council was able to conduct online meetings and kept functioning, we served our members and addressed issues affecting oral health in Fiji.”
