8 september 2003

PENANG, Malaysia -- The Government has introduced guidelines for occupational safety and health in dental laboratories, outlining critical steps that need to be observed. 

Health Minister Datuk Chua Jui Meng said the guidelines listed the basic facilities and equipment needed to ensure safety in dental laboratories. 

He said this in his speech at the opening of the Malaysian Dental Technology Association’s 50th annual general meeting yesterday.  

The speech was read by his confidential secretary Koe Hee Choon. 

Chua said the guidelines, which were published in English and Bahasa Malaysia, defined critical steps for reporting, investigating and doing follow-ups on mishaps. 

Public sector dental technologists are currently developing a checklist to monitor adherence to the guidelines. 

Chua said dental technicians, like other healthcare professionals, were exposed to health risks and hazards at their workplace.  

He said currently there were about 1,048 dental technicians serving 2,392 dental practitioners in the public and private sectors. 

He said there was one dental technician for every 23,258 Malaysians, which compared less favourably with developed countries. 

In Japan, there is one dental technician for every 3,437 people and in Singapore there is one for every 8,833. 

Association chairman Wan Lai Keong said the profession was on the decline, with very few young people interested in joining.  

He urged dental technicians to impart their knowledge and skills to the younger generation to ensure the profession would be sustained in the future.

Source: The STAR, Malaysia