The Kenya Dental Association has raised alarm over misleading information being circulated about dental training programs in the country, cautioning Kenyans against enrolling in unaccredited courses.
In a statement released on Thursday, December 19, the association clarified critical distinctions between recognized and unrecognized dental qualifications, specifically addressing confusion surrounding Mount Kenya University's Bachelor of Science in Oral Health program.
The Kenya Dental Association's alert follows its observation that publications and communications from Mount Kenya University may be misleading prospective students and the general public by suggesting that the Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Oral Health programme is equivalent to or constitutes training in the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) programme.
"The Bachelor of Science (BSc) in Oral Health is not equivalent to the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree. Members of the public are therefore advised to clearly appreciate and take note of this distinction when making academic and professional decisions," the association stated.
KDA emphasized that according to the Dentists Act, Cap 253 of the Laws of Kenya and accompanying regulations, only holders of a Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) qualification from an accredited institution, who are properly registered and licensed by the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC), are legally qualified and competent to practice dentistry in the Republic of Kenya.
Read More
The association further clarified that a BSc qualification does not confer eligibility, competence, or legal authority to practice dentistry in Kenya.
Unlike the Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS) degree, which is internationally recognized, the BSc in Oral Health is not recognized as a dental qualification in Kenya or in any other country, and does not lead to recognition or practice as a dentist locally or internationally.
The public has been urged to exercise due diligence and seek clarification from relevant regulatory authorities before enrolling in any programme purported to lead to qualification or practice as a dentist.
For further reference, members of the public are encouraged to consult official resources, including the KMPDC notice on accredited universities and undergraduate dental training requirements, available at https://kmpdc.go.ke/undergraduate-training/, and the Mount Kenya University Medical School Programmes at https://medschool.mku.ac.ke/.
The Kenya Dental Association emphasized that there are currently only two universities in Kenya that are accredited and licensed to train dentists, namely the University of Nairobi and Moi University.
In June, the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council (KMPDC) issued a stern warning to health facility owners, administrators, and the public regarding the employment and practice of unlicensed medical professionals.
The Council reminded Kenyans that practicing medicine or dentistry without proper registration and licensing is a criminal offense, punishable by fines of up to Ksh 5 million, imprisonment for up to five years, or both.
KMPDC also cautioned those who hire unlicensed staff, warning that any person in charge of a health institution who employs or engages an unregistered or unlicensed medical practitioner, dentist, or community oral health practitioner commits an offense.
Such individuals face penalties of up to Ksh10 million, five years in jail, or both.
The Council stressed that foreign practitioners are only permitted to work in the location specified on their license, and all health facilities are required to inform KMPDC before engaging any foreign medical personnel.
