Minister of Health Yang Berhormat Dato Seri Setia Dr Haji Mohammad Isham bin Haji Jaafar, outlined the Ministry of Health’s (MoH) commitment to strengthening dental services in Brunei. He revealed that full-time dental services are available in nine health centres, four government hospitals, and one Child Development Centre, with the National Dental Centre serving as the main hub.
The centre is equipped with 40 dental chairs, utilised by 15 dental specialists, seven dental officers, and five dental nurses, hygienists, and therapists. Additionally, 13 chairs are designated for dental training. The centre also houses a dental laboratory staffed by 17 dental technologists and technicians responsible for manufacturing dental prostheses such as dentures, crowns, and bridgework.
During the fifth day of the 21st Legislative Council (LegCo) Meeting, the minister responded to inquiries from Yang Berhormat Awang Zainol bin Haji Mohamed and Yang Berhormat Pehin Orang Kaya Johan Pahlawan Dato Seri Setia Awang Haji Adanan bin Begawan Pehin Siraja Khatib Dato Seri Setia Haji Md Yusof regarding measures to improve accessibility, upgrade clinic facilities, and enhance appointment systems to reduce waiting times.
Dr Haji Mohammad Isham highlighted that the Dental Services Department (JPP) offers a range of services, including basic oral care (fillings, extractions, and scaling) and specialized treatments such as orthodontics, prosthodontics, oral surgery, periodontics, endodontics, paediatric dentistry, and special care dentistry.
To extend services beyond clinics, JPP conducts outreach programmes such as the Travelling Health Services, which provides dental care to rural communities, and the Senyum Kasih Programme, which delivers care to special-needs patients. Specialist dental services are also made available in districts outside the capital.
JPP actively promotes oral health awareness through campaigns targeting schools, the National Service Programme (PKBN), senior citizen activity centres (PKWE), special-needs institutions, and mass media, including RTB, radio, and social media platforms such as Instagram and TikTok.
Before the COVID-19 pandemic, government dental clinics recorded 150,000 to 162,000 patient visits annually. In 2024, patient numbers surged to 139,885 from 100,091 in the previous year. Dental appointment bookings through BruHealth are estimated at 90-95 per cent, though only 85-90 per cent of booked patients attend their appointments. To improve accessibility, additional appointment slots have been introduced.
JPP operates 43 dental clinics in primary schools and has expanded its services to secondary schools, beginning with Chung Hwa Secondary School, which is equipped with two dental chairs. Plans are underway to extend this initiative to more secondary schools nationwide.
Brunei currently has 138 dentists, with 105 serving in primary oral healthcare across the MoH, private sector, and the Royal Brunei Armed Forces (RBAF). Of these, 33 are specialist dentists, including 21 local specialists. The national dentist-to-population ratio for primary oral healthcare is 1:4,290.
To ensure continuous service improvement, JPP focuses on training and upskilling officers and staff, including sending dental officers abroad for advanced specialty training.
JPP is incorporating advanced dental technologies such as Computer-Aided Design and Computer-Aided Manufacturing (CAD/CAM) to enhance the efficiency and quality of prosthetic fabrication. This digital approach reduces traditional procedures, improves durability, and ensures cost-effective production of dental prostheses.
In response to Yang Berhormat Awang Haji Md Salleh bin Haji Othman’s question regarding Bruneians seeking dental treatment abroad, the minister acknowledged that some residents opt for treatment overseas due to personal preferences, often combining it with travel.
Currently, the waiting time for braces treatment has been significantly reduced from five years to less than two years. The minister emphasized that while some may perceive treatment abroad as more affordable, government-subsidized dental services in Brunei offer high-quality care, with most treatments provided free of charge to citizens.
Brunei has eight private dental clinics and two dental clinics in private hospitals, with 27 registered dentists under the Brunei Medical Board. The MoH welcomes further private sector participation and continues to explore collaborations to enhance service delivery.
“Choosing a registered and accredited dental centre is crucial to ensuring the safety and effectiveness of treatment,” said the minister, reaffirming the MoH’s dedication to upholding high standards in Brunei’s dental care sector. – Lyna Mohammad
