Kuwait expands children’s dental care with new clinics, integrated e-record

He revealed that the ministry is expanding dental services, particularly for children, by opening several centers and departments in less than a year like the Nasser Al-Saeed Specialized Center for Pediatric Dentistry in the Capital Governorate, which consists of 48 clinics for children. He added that the ministry opened the Pediatric Dentistry Department at Mutlaa Accident Center (N10). He said this facility has four clinics, radiology and sterilization services, providing specialized treatment to children in Mutlaa City (aged six to 15) in the morning and evening shifts. He also cited the opening of an integrated dental department at Adan Hospital, including clinics, radiology, and sterilization facilities, another at West Abdullah Al-Mubarak Health Center with clinics, radiology and sterilization services and a waiting area for patients, the first specialized oral, maxillofacial and facial surgery clinic at Sader Specialized Center in the Capital Health District, and two specialized clinics at Taima Specialized Dental Center.

He indicated that oral and dental health is an integral part of general health, stressing the importance of caring for the teeth, as prevention, early diagnosis and appropriate treatment lay the foundation for better long-term health. He stressed the need to develop treatment services and continue investing in prevention, public awareness, and early intervention. Meanwhile, he revealed that a conference will be held soon to strengthen the link between clinical practice and scientific or academic work and to translate knowledge and expertise into applications that improve care. “We look forward to the conference to strengthen the research partnership between specialized centers and board programs, focusing on pediatric dental health priorities and contributing to the evaluation and development of practices based on scientific evidence,” he explained. He praised the outcomes of the Kuwait Institute for Medical Specializations (KIMS) dental programs and the qualified national professionals produced by the various Kuwaiti Board specialties.

Also, Conference Chairman Dr. Abdulaziz Al-Thunayan affirmed that the conference serves as a national platform for exchanging knowledge and expertise, as well as strengthening collaboration among practitioners, academics, researchers and decision-makers. Rapporteur of the Pediatric Dentistry Association, Dr. Ali Akbar, revealed that 400 dentists registered for the conference, reflecting growing interest in keeping pace with the latest scientific and clinical developments in pediatric dentistry. Moreover, in a report on Kuwait published in 2022, the World Health Organization (WHO) estimated the prevalence of untreated tooth decay in the primary teeth of children aged one to nine at 43.5 percent. The ministry considered this figure as an indicator of the need to expand preventive measures and early intervention, as well as conduct national studies.