Health ministry considers dentistry courses at state hospitals

Public Health Permanent Secretary Dr. Opart Karnkawinpong has proposed the use of state hospitals to produce more dentists, to address the current shortage at state hospitals. More than half of the some 800 graduates in dentistry in Thailand choose to join private hospitals or to work independently for greater financial gain.

He said today (Saturday) that, since state medical schools are capable of producing hundreds of doctors each year, state hospitals should be able to accommodate students in dentistry and to produce graduates to meet the demand.

He said there is no need to invest in new buildings for dental colleges, as the existing facilities at numerous state hospitals have the capacity to train dental students.

Dr. Opart pointed out, however, that there are some problems which discourage dental graduates from working in state hospitals that need to be addressed, such as…