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Dentistry

Overview

The recognition that oral diseases have detrimental consequences on physical and psychological wellbeing is the reason why actions should be taken to improve both oral health and reduce the burden of other diseases especially non-communicable diseases. Adequate public investments in oral health professional education are among the actions recommended to create an effective global oral health workforce.

To attain the oral health goals, the Government as part of its vision of universal health coverage and a healthy population through the Ministry of Health is implementing activities towards universal health coverage (UHC) as well as the attainment of the health-related Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) by the health sector by the year 2030. Oral health contributes to achieving Universal Health Coverage (UHC) and it is currently considered as key indicator of overall health, wellbeing, and quality of life.

The World Health Organization (WHO) defines oral health as ‘’a state of being free from mouth and facial pain, oral and throat cancer, oral infection and sores, periodontal disease, tooth decay, tooth loss, and other diseases and disorders that limit an individual’s capacity in biting, chewing, smiling, speaking, and psychosocial wellbeing.’’

Recent scientific evidence indicates associations between oral health and a variety of general health conditions – including diabetes and heart disease. In response, the World Health Organization has integrated oral health into its chronic disease prevention efforts as their risk factors are linked.

Dentists and the dental team are responsible for the development and implementation of oral healthcare services and provision of equitable and appropriate oral healthcare for all. The dentists lead the team and are responsible for diagnosis, providing oral healthcare and prescriptions as well as supervision and management.

Deficits in the oral health workforce are a major threat to the realisation of the Ministry’s goal. The establishment of the School of Dentistry (SOD) at the University of Health and Allied Sciences (UHAS) is relevant to the Ghana’s development as it contributes to improving the number and quality of oral health workforce of Ghana and help meet the increasing need and demand for oral healthcare.

The Bachelor of Dental Surgery programme at the University of Health and Allied Sciences is a six-year programme designed to help our trainees develop awareness of public health service and policy, inter-professional cooperation, critical thinking, and decision making, self-management and organization culture, and reflection and interpersonal feedback.

Dean's Welcome Address

I welcome you as Dean of the School of Dentistry of the University of Health and Allied Sciences where science is combined with Arts to achieve results. As Dentists, we transform pain into a pleasant smile for comfort and quality of life for everyone that experience our services not only through the knowledge acquired but also through the application of the knowledge positively.

In our school there is an environment that inspires our students to achieve the highest standards of excellence in learning, research and service to the community. Our faculty are committed to quality academic training.

Dental education has traditionally focused on restorative and clinical dentistry. But the recognition of the links between oral and general health requires a model of dental education that foster active collaboration among healthcare professions and disciplines competencies to equip our graduates to address population needs that go beyond the dental chair. Our curriculum is designed to help our trainees develop awareness of public health service and policy, inter-professional cooperation, critical thinking and decision making, self-management and organizational culture, reflection and interpersonal feedback.

I encourage you to come on board as we welcome students from Ghana and beyond to study with us at the School of Dentistry, University of Health and Allied Sciences, a great place of academic achievement with a unique dental programme that stands tall among others.

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Dr. Fernando Miguel Almaguer Acevedo

DDS, MSc, FGCS

Educational Background
  • • Fellowship in Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Ghana College of Physicians and Surgeons, 2021.
  • • Master of Sciences in Dentistry Emergencies, Medical Sciences University, Las Tunas. 2009.
  • • Diploma in Oral Implantology, Medical Sciences University, Las Tunas. 2007.
  • • Specialist in Maxillofacial Surgery, Institute of Higher Education “Carlos J. Finlay” Camaguey, Cuba. 2004.
  • • Doctor in Dental Surgery, Institute of Higher Education “Carlos J. Finlay” Camaguey, Cuba. 2000.
Research Interest

Dr. Acevedo’s research interest focuses on complications of odontogenic infections, specifically Ludwig’s angina and cervical necrotizing fasciitis related to application of herbal preparations and delay of patients to report to the hospital seeking for dental care. He is also interest in head and neck tumours and maxillofacial trauma.

Teaching Areas

Dr. Acevedo teaches undergraduate students in the following areas: Undergraduate Courses: General Pathology, Oral Pathology, Oral Biology, Dental Radiology, Oral and Maxillofacial surgery. Oral Medicine.

Key Publications
  • 1. Acevedo, F. M. A., Doe Ketemepi, G. V., Hernandez, B. Y., Lambert, R. G., Lopez, D. M., & Gonzalez, M. R. (2023). Bilateral Tessier no. 7 cleft with an accessory maxilla and osseous choristoma: a case report. Journal of surgical case reports, 2023(1), rjac616. https://doi.org/10.1093/jscr/rjac616
  • 2. Almaguer, F. M., Lopez, D.M., Cervantes, B.Y.H, Ketemepi, G. V. (2021) Cervicofacial necrotizing fasciitis after topical application of herbal medicine. Journal of Surgical Case Reports Vol. 11, 1-5.
  • 3. Eric G, Magalys LC, Richard A, Fernando AA. Kwadzokpui PK (2021) Facial Chondroid Syringoma: First Case Report from a Rural Community in Ghana. Med Case RepVol.7 No.2.
  • 4. Almaguer, F.M., Orish, V.N., Afram, J. K., Obum. E. K., Osisiogu, U. E., Afeke, I. (2018) Clinical and Microbial Presentations of Ludwig Angina in the Volta Regional Hospital Ho Ghana. P J M H S Vol.12, No.1.
  • 5. Almaguer, F.M. Santos, S. J. Acuña, J.L. (2010) Characterization of epidermoid carcinoma of the oral cavity in Las Tunas province, 2007-2008. Zoilo E. Marinello Vidaurreta Electronic Journal ISSN 1029-3027 RNPS: 1824. Vol: 35 No: 3_07.
Professional Experience

Dr. Acevedo has over 20 years of experience as a Dentist and Maxillofacial surgeon and 15 years of experience as a lecturer. He has been working at UHAS for the last 9 years. Before joining UHAS he worked as a Consultant Maxillofacial Surgeon at 37 Military Hospital in Accra and “Dr. Ernesto Guevara Teaching Hospital” in Las Tunas, Cuba. His experience includes managing maxillofacial trauma, head and neck tumours and odontogenic infections. He is also able to manage maxillofacial congenital malformations. He provides mentorship to junior doctors at Ho Teaching Hospital and students of Medicine, Dentistry and Physician Assistant.

Awards and Recognitions
  • • Citation of Honor. MBChB, School of Medicine UHAS, Class of 2022, 11th September, 2019.
  • • Citation of Honor. MBChB, School of Medicine UHAS, Class of 2021, September 2018.
  • • “Chalk of Gold Award” for the most outstanding lecture in the classroom. Las Tunas, Cuba. 15th December 2009.
  • • “Merito Docente Award” for outstanding graduated in Maxillofacial Surgery, Dr. Jose Assef Yara Medical Sciences University, Ciego de Avila, Cuba. 10th December, 2004.
  • • Doctor of Dental Surgery with Honors, Dr. Zoilo M. Vidaurreta Medical Sciences University, Las Tunas 21st July, 2000.
Professional Memberships
  • • Member of Ghana Medical Association.
  • • Member of Ghana Dental Association.
  • • Member of University Teachers Association of Ghana.
  • • Member of AO CMF
Administrative Roles
  • • Member, School Scientific and Ethical Review Committee, Education Committee and Appointment and Promotion Review Committee. School of Medicine, UHAS.
  • • Member, Library Committee. University of Health and Allied Sciences.
Contact Information

Email: [email protected]

Phone: +(233) 243517596

ResearchGate: Fernando Miguel Almaguer.

ORCID: 0000-0002-5359-9470

Creating and enabling an atmosphere of excellence and leadership in oral health care, dedication to quality teaching, long-life learning, and being active researchers and scholars with a high commitment to serving the community needs in an evolving health care environment.

To improve oral health care through quality education, advance knowledge, research, competent patient care and community engagement.

To develop health professionals who improve and maintain the oral health status of individuals and populations.

  • 1. To graduate proficient general dentists adequately trained and capable of providing comprehensive dental care.
  • 2. To prepare graduates to develop skills and abilities to deliver quality comprehensive care in all the clinical disciplines of general dentistry, and make clinical judgments using evidence-based diagnoses and treatment planning.
  • 3. To prepare graduates to effectively communicate knowledge of comprehensive dental care and related diseases to others.
  • 4. To develop graduates' ability to integrate the basic and clinical sciences in the practice of general dentistry.
  • 5. To develop graduates' ability to contribute to the profession through research and scholarly activity.
  • 6. To graduate proficient general dentists who understand the importance of life-long learning, professional development, and their responsibility to the community-at-large.
  • 7. To prepare graduates to function effectively and efficiently in multiple health care environments within interdisciplinary health care teams in a hospital setting.

The core values and philosophy of the School of Dentistry of the University of Health and Allied Sciences will comprise the following:

  • 1. Provide a student-centred, team-based, problem-solving integrated curriculum with a strong community – based experience and service.
  • 2. Provide an avenue for life-long learning by creating opportunities to students for professional progression in the health delivery system.
  • 3. Produce graduates who are competent, team-workers, compassionate and committed to the profession.
Programmes

- Bachelor of Dental Surgery (BDS)

Structure of the School of Dentistry

There are five (5) departments, namely:

  • 1. Adult Oral Health
  • 2. Basic and Diagnostic Oral Health Science
  • 3. Child Oral Health and Orthodontics
  • 4. Community Dentistry
  • 5. Maxillofacial Sciences