The Kenya Dental Association (KDA) has raised red flags over the accreditation of Oral Health degrees in local universities.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, June 10, KDA President Dr. Kahura Mundia warned that the current curriculum fails to align with the country’s professional standards, scope of practice, and established competency frameworks for dental healthcare delivery.
“As the representative body of dental health professionals in Kenya, KDA is deeply concerned that this programme, as currently constituted, does not align with the established competency frameworks, scope of practice and professional standards that govern dental health care delivery in Kenya.” reads the statement.
Dr. Mundia also emphasized the need for strict regulation in healthcare education. He expressed concern over new training programs being established and implemented without proper consultation or approval from regulatory bodies.
“Training programmes that lack proper accreditation, adequate clinical exposure, qualified faculty, and standardized competency assessments may produce graduates with critical deficiencies in knowledge, skills and professional judgment. This inevitably compromises the quality of healthcare services and undermines patient safety,” reads the statement.
The Association also noted that students enrolled in such programmes face risks such as ineligibility for professional registration and licensure and rejection of qualifications by regulatory boards and employers.
They also face risks in requirements for costly retraining or bridging programmes as well as loss of time, financial resources, and career opportunities.
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“Parents and sponsors equally suffer financial losses when they invest in programmes that may not meet the standards required for professional recognition,” reads the statement by the association.
The association urged the Ministries of Education and Health, the Commission for University Education to investigate and address training programmes whose accreditation status, regulatory approval, clinical training standards, and professional recognition remain unclear or questionable.
KDA also called on regulators to improve inter-agency coordination when approving healthcare training programmes, emphasizing the need for meaningful consultation with professional bodies.
Additionally, it urged regulators to publish clear guidelines on approved courses and institutions, conduct regular compliance audits, and take swift enforcement action against any institutions operating outside legal frameworks.
By Frank Mugwe
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