RSU and Minister for Health Hosams Abu Meri agree on the establishment of Children's Dental Centre

On Friday, 16 February, the Minister for Health Hosams Abu Meri visited the pre-clinical facilities of the Rīga Stradiņš University (RSU) Faculty of Dentistry and the RSU Institute of Stomatology. The purpose of the visit was to learn about current issues and problems in paediatric and adolescent dentistry, as well as inspect the facilities where aspiring dentists acquire their professional skills in a safe simulated environment. During the meeting, the minister and RSU management agreed on the establishment of the RSU Children's Dental Centre.

Abu Meri and representatives of the Ministry of Health, together with representatives of RSU management, visited the pre-clinical facilities of the Faculty of Dentistry, where the delegation had the opportunity to observe the modern study environment. The Minister continued the tour by visiting the RSU Institute of Stomatology.

‘The Ministry of Health is working purposefully to improve access to maternal and child health services, including dental services for this patient group. Modern medical technologies and treatment processes have reduced children's and adolescents’ reluctance and even fear of visiting the dentist, therefore, it is important to provide a safe and friendly treatment environment for them, as well as improve the quality and accessibility of services.

RSU's vision to establish a Children's Dental Centre is great, and an opportunity to create a centre of excellence in paediatric and adolescent dentistry,’

said Abu Meri after his visit to the University.

During the visit, the participants discussed current issues and challenges in paediatric and adolescent dentistry to promoting access to services for this patient group, providing a safe and friendly treatment environment for children, and how the quality of services could be improved.

‘The new RSU Children's Dental Centre is a vision that we are committed to implementing by the end of 2028.

The need for good quality, affordable and psychologically reassuring dental treatment for children and adolescents has prompted us to start this new project as soon as possible.

The long queues for dental services show how acute the need for such a centre in Latvia is, so I am very pleased that we agree with the Minister of Health Hosams Abu Meri on this issue,’ emphasised RSU Rector Aigars Pētersons.

The planning and design work for the new RSU Children's Dental Centre has already started, and the construction of the Centre is expected to be completed by the end of 2028.