With a population of more than 12 million people and fewer than 40
registered dentists, the recent graduation of 10 new dentists at the University
of Rwanda was a historic milestone for the advancement of the nation’s oral health.
Since 2011, Harvard School of Dental Medicine (HSDM) has been a
leading partner in the effort to launch the first dental school and B.D.S.
program at the University of Rwanda.
Donna Hackley, D.M.D.,
M.A., HSDM Instructor in Oral Health Policy and Epidemiology, spent the past
five years working with colleagues in Rwanda. “It is some of the most challenging, enjoyable and rewarding
work I’ve ever done,” Dr. Hackley says.
The new school is the result of the Human Resources for Health
program started by Partners In Health, the Clinton Health Access Initiative and
the Rwandan Ministries of Health and Education. The program was created to
advance health education and improve health care delivery systems in the
country.
“Given
the connection of oral health to overall health, and the potential for
preventive care to mitigate disease, it was critical that dentistry be included
in the program,” says Jane Barrow, M.S., HSDM Associate Dean for Global and
Community Health, who facilitated the partnership.
A team of Rwandan, HSDM and University of
Maryland faculty collaborated to build the dental school’s educational infrastructure from
the ground up. In August 2013, the new school
welcomed its inaugural class into the five-year dental surgery degree program.
“Some of the
students had never experienced a dental visit and did not know any dentists,” says
Dr. Hackley. “This was not only a new school, but totally new territory for
them.”
The students were
steadfast in their desire to learn. The inaugural class adopted the nickname
“The Pioneerz” and became close friends.
“Our team could not be more proud of them nor of how far they have
come,” says John Michael Ray, D.D.S., HSDM Lecturer.
The graduation marked the culmination of many years of work for
the various partners, faculty and students.
“We have done our
best and worked together with team spirit, to reach farther than any one of us
could reach alone,” says University of Rwanda School of Dentistry Dean
Chrispinus Mumena, D.D.S., M.Dent. OMFS, PGCLTHE. “I am very proud of our
graduating students and very pleased with the collaborations between our
faculty and the HRH Rwanda program.”
“Through all our efforts, the education we are providing will
plant the seed to improve many people’s lives now and in the future,” says
Steffany Chamut, D.D.S., M.P.H., HSDM Instructor.
Human Resource for
Health Program funding will provide support for the program for the next six
years. HSDM faculty will continue to assist with curriculum delivery and
provide technical and strategic support as the school shifts to a new campus.
“I’m very excited
and happy for today’s graduation, it is the day I have waited for, for a long
time,” says graduate Joseph Nshimiyimana. “We are going to do our best to
achieve more for our country.”
For more
information, see the article published in the June 2018 issue of the Journal of Dental Education: A Case
Study Optimizing Human Resources in Rwanda’s First Dental School: Three
Innovative Management Tools.
Courtesy of Heather Denny,
M.L.A., Director of Communications, Harvard School of Dental Medicine
Published
on January 9, 2019