Doha, 20 March 2023: Recently, Hamad Medical Corporation's (HMC) Dental Services, hosted representatives from the Faculty of Dentistry at the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland to conduct 5 days RCSI HMC Intensive MFD/ Continuing Professional Development Review Course 2023 for dentists and RCSI HMC Intensive Course for Pediatric Dentistry Program. The MFD part 2 examination was also held by the following day. The weeklong course concluded in a graduation of FFD and awards conferring ceremony for 2021 to 2023 batches that was attended by the graduates, their families, faculty, administrators, and special guests.
Dr. Khalifa Al-Ansari, Chairman of Hamad Dental Services, explained this was a special occasion as it was the first awards and graduation ceremony held after the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic. “I am extremely proud of all our graduates who have demonstrated high commitment and capability in managing their studies alongside work and home life. The amazing achievement in their scholastic results is a testament to their abilities and the amazing faculty who have supported them along the way.”
“I wish to commend Dr. Jamal al-Abdullah, Divisional Chief of Pedodontics and Deputy Program Director of the Postgraduate Pediatric Dentistry Program at HMC, for his amazing efforts in developing the highest attainable standards in dentistry training programs and to support our dentistry residents in achieving the best results. I also wish to commend Dr. Huda Al Hashemi, Sr. Consultant, Prosthodontics and Chair of Continuing Professional Development at Hamad Dental Services, for organizing the MFD RCSI course and ensuring a high academic standard is maintained in Qatar. Indeed, our entire faculty has done a tremendous job in ensuring the next generation of dentists are able to practice with impeccable skill and compassion,” added Dr. Al-Ansari.
Dr. Abdullatif Al-Khal, Deputy Chief Medical Director and Director of Medical Education, received an honorary title as Fellow of the Faculty of Dentistry at RCSI, in recognition of his leadership and support for the development of dentistry training programs in Qatar. During the ceremony, he was presented with the Fellowship certificate, signifying the conferring of this prestigious title. Special recognition also went to Dr. Abdulla Al-Ansari, Chief Medical Officer at HMC and Dr. Ghanim Al-Mannai, former Chairman of Hamad Dental Services, for their contributions.
The awards and graduation celebration saw the recognition of the Pediatric Dentistry Diploma Graduates, who achieved a 100 % pass rate. Prof. John S Walsh, Immediate Past Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, RCSI and Director of the post-graduate pediatric program in Qatar, said that this was a significant achievement for all parties involved: “We have 11 dentists who have graduated from the Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, and we have a 100 % success rate here, while the international success rate is about 53% - so that means that the candidates from Qatar are among the best in the world.”
The internationally accredited postgraduate dental education program offered by HMC in collaboration with RCSI is in line with the guidelines of Qatar’s National Oral Health Strategy. Professor Albert Leung, Dean of the Faculty of Dentistry, Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, praised the quality of care provided by Hamad Dental Services and applauded HMC for the collaboration to facilitate the delivery of specialized RCSI training in Qatar.
The MFD RCSI is an examination that can be taken by dentists at any stage of their career, including those who are newly qualified, or hoping to undertake specialist training, or working in general practice. The examination places a strong emphasis on clinical dentistry, with some questions on the underlying relevant clinical sciences. The examination consists of two parts, and candidates who successfully complete both parts of the MFD examination are awarded the prestigious Membership of the Faculty of Dentistry (RCSI) qualification.
