Kumasi, June 27, GNA - The Ghana Dental Association (GDA) has called on the National Insurance Council to, as a matter of urgency, revisit the issue of the minimum benefit package for oral health with the commencement of the scheme.

The association has also appealed to the government to ensure that every oral health facility met a minimum requirement for the smooth implementation of the scheme.

These were contained in a six-point resolution adopted by the association at the end of its 14th annual congress in Kumasi at the weekend.

The resolution, signed by Dr J.A. Amoateng, General Secretary of the association, asked that more oral health facilities be created and adequately equipped to prevent the newly qualified dental surgeons from becoming frustrated and join the brain drain bandwagon. It called on the government to take prompt action to curb the activities of quacks and illegal practitioners including the empowerment of the Medical and Dental Council to deal appropriately with these individuals.

The resolution called for the intensification of oral health education in the country and supports the laudable effort of the Kwame Nkrumah University of Science and Technology (KNUST) to set up a dental school and to assist in all ways to facilitate this process.

It also pledged to collaborate with the government to improve upon availability of oral health services in undeserved areas. Dr Eric Asamoah, Consultant Maxillo-Facial Surgeon at the Ridge Hospital, Accra, was elected President of the association at the end of the congress.

Dr Josephine Sackeyfio, a Senior lecturer at the Dental School, was elected vice-president with Dr J.A. Amoateng, Principal Dental Surgeon and Ashanti Regional Co-ordinator for Oral Health, retained his post as secretary unopposed.

The post of Assistant Secretary went to Dr Ernest Puplampu of the Koforidua Regional Hospital while Dr Grace Parkins, Consultant Maxillo-Facial Surgeon, took the post of treasurer and Dr (Mrs) Ama Amuasi, a dental surgeon at Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital took the post of assistant treasurer.