Health Ministry expands general dentist privileges to 41 procedures

The Ministry of Health has approved an updated list of clinical privileges for general dentists, expanding the scope from 18 to 41 clinical procedures. The move aims to enhance patient safety, empower general dentists, and increase access to dental services in both the public and private sectors.

The ministry stated that these clinical privileges will be granted by the clinical privileges committee at each healthcare facility, following an assessment of the dentist’s competence, qualifications, and fulfillment of approved requirements. This process ensures clarity in the scope of practice and supports the quality of care.

The update expands the range of services that general dentists can provide, now covering assessment and diagnosis, preventive and therapeutic care, periodontal and root treatments, pediatric dental care, prosthodontics, and the management of emergency cases.

Additionally, the update provides a unified reference for clinical privileges committees in healthcare facilities. This is expected to optimize the use of general dentists’ skills, improve service delivery and facility capacity, and make it easier for patients to access care.

Regulation of privileges for dental specialties

The update also includes separate lists of clinical privileges for various dental specialties, tailored to the nature and requirements of each field, and offers a clearer framework for regulating clinical practice.

The Ministry of Health noted that this update is part of ongoing efforts to advance healthcare practice and empower national talent. It aligns with initiatives to localize health professions and make optimal use of qualified professionals, thereby improving the quality and efficiency of healthcare and expanding service availability for beneficiaries.