Dental Association wants Council chair to resign over unqualified personnel

The Kenya Dental Association (KDA) on Thursday staged a peaceful protest demanding the immediate resignation of Council Chairperson Prof Stanley Khainga.

They demanded his resignation over the publication of the contested Scope of Practice for Community Oral Health Officers (COHOs).

The members protested from University of Nairobi Dental School to the offices of the Kenya Medical Practitioners and Dentists Council  (KMPDC).

The association said the Scope of Practice promotes the provision of dental care by individuals without adequate foundational training—posing serious risks to patient safety.

“The published document endangers the oral health of patients by encouraging practice without proper qualifications. This undermines quality care and contradicts the Health Act of 2017, which guarantees every person the right to the highest attainable standard of health,” said the statement.

COHOs are diploma holders who provide a range of oral health services, including community dental public information, limited clinical care like restorations, fluoride applications, and oral health education, often working under the supervision of a dentist.

According to KDA, the consequences of implementing the document could include misdiagnosis, worsening of oral diseases, increased complications, higher emergency referrals, and in extreme cases, patient deaths due to negligence.

In a protest letter to KMPDC, the KDA accused Prof Khainga of going back on his February 27, 2025, assurance to withdraw the document.

KDA is now calling for the immediate withdrawal of the published Scope of Practice, as well as the resignation of Prof Khainga.

The association also wants the publication of a core curriculum for COHOs that was developed in 2020 through a multi-stakeholder process, and a clear Scope of Practice for all oral health professionals including dental technologists, hygienists, and therapists.

Additionally, KDA is advocating for the creation of a career path that allows COHOs to pursue Bachelor of Dental Surgery degrees, and for the establishment of more accredited dental schools, instead of introducing unrecognized degree programs.

KDA emphasised that KMPDC, under the Medical and Dental Practitioners’ Act, is mandated to uphold quality standards in medical and dental training and practice, and accused the council of failing in this duty.